VILLA PARK IN THE CITY. THE CHABOT MUSEUM AND THE ENVIRONS OF THE MUSEUMPARK VILLAS ROTTERDAM

The Chabot Museum in Rotterdam has occupied a monumental example of Nieuwe Bouwen architecture, the functionalist Dutch arm of the International Modern style, since 1993. The white corner villa overlooking the Museumpark is a design from 1938 by the architects Baas and Stokla. Characteristic features of the house include the naturally lit spaces, the openness towards the garden and the unique views of the Museumparks surroundings. Before establishing himself as an independent architect, Baas had worked for the Brinkman & Van der Vlugt architecture bureau, which established its international reputation with designs for the neighbouring villas Sonneveld House (now a museum dwelling) and the Bouvé House, the Van Nelle Factory and the Feijenoord Stadium in Rotterdam. The Chabot Museum boasts one of the most important collections of work by the painter and sculptor Henk Chabot (1894-1949), a Dutch expressionist, and complements this with work by Chabots contemporaries. The museum organizes a dynamic, international exhibition programme on the basis of this collection. This book showcases the architecture and restoration of this building, which was listed as a National Monument in 2000, along with the Chabot Museums collection and its policy as a museum.