Unique architecture
Nagele is a small village in Noordoostpolder. But did you know that Nagele's architecture occupies a unique place in the architectural history of the Netherlands? Many buildings and houses in Nagele were designed by famous architects. Architects from collectives such as the Eight and the Opbouw. And ... all the buildings in Nagele have a flat roof. You won't find anything like it anywhere else in the Netherlands.
A national monument and famous architects
Much about this special architecture can be found in Nagele's museum. But the village of Nagele itself is also an exhibition in itself. Right next to the museum is a primary school designed by Aldo van Eyck; now a national monument.
In the vicinity of the museum ...
Unique architecture
Nagele is a small village in Noordoostpolder. But did you know that Nagele's architecture occupies a unique place in the architectural history of the Netherlands? Many buildings and houses in Nagele were designed by famous architects. Architects from collectives such as the Eight and the Opbouw. And ... all the buildings in Nagele have a flat roof. You won't find anything like it anywhere else in the Netherlands.
A national monument and famous architects
Much about this special architecture can be found in Nagele's museum. But the village of Nagele itself is also an exhibition in itself. Right next to the museum is a primary school designed by Aldo van Eyck; now a national monument.
In the vicinity of the museum, you will find homes by architects such as Jan and Gerrit Rietveld, Mart Stam, Lotte Stam-Beese and Ernest Groosman. At first glance, many houses will look similar, yet there is a lot of variation because of experimental house plans, different house volumes and in the architecture.
The idea behind Nagele
It was the designers' intention to morally uplift residents by providing them with a contemporary, spacious and comfortable home. 'Light, air and space' was central and creating places where people could meet to become a close-knit community. New construction methods and new materials such as concrete had to be used to create a better living situation.
Green plays an important role in the design of Nagele. Architects were also called in for this: Nagele's green plan was designed by garden architect Mien Ruys, as was the design of the cemetery. In her opinion, the planting brought the perception of nature and the experience of the seasons into people's living environment.
An open-air museum, and free too!
At the Nagele museum, you can get two routes that allow you to set off on your own through the unusual architecture of the flat-roofed village of Nagele. Walk at your leisure through the village of Nagele, which is like a free open-air museum of architecture.
Also take a look inside a house
A beautiful and well-preserved example of the interior from Nagele's early years can be found at Huis Polman, where you can experience for yourself what it must have been like to have lived here in the 1950s reconstruction years of the Noordoostpolder . Open the cupboards and see what's inside, or sit back in the armchair and listen to the radio. Make yourself at home.
