Facade Mosaics

About this artwork.

In the spring of 2022, Het Groot Handelshuis opened its doors at Grote Markt 21 in Groningen. This striking building was formerly the site of the V&D department store, which officially closed its doors in 2016. In preparation for its new purpose, the complex underwent extensive renovation.

The building is part of what is called 'wederopbouw architectuur'. In April 1945, the area around the Grote Markt was heavily damaged by war actions. In the years following the liberation, extensive thought was given to the reconstruction of the city center. For a long time, charred buildings remained standing with the help of braces, hoping they could still be restored. Ultimately, the choice was made for progress, with modern architecture as the starting point.

The arrival of a large department store was seen as a necessary and valuable addition to the renewed cityscape. This was the moment to give approval for a Vroom & Dreesmann establishment in Groningen, as had already happened in many other Dutch cities. At that time, the management of V&D worked with a dedicated team of designers. The Kraaijvanger brothers were engaged for the design of the Groningen branch. Art played an important role in this: one percent of the construction budget was allocated to art applications. According to the Kraaijvangers, a modern building was not complete without the deeper dimension that art could add.

Artist Louis van Roode regularly collaborated with his colleague Nel Klaassen on architecture projects by the Kraaijvangers. For the Groningen V&D building, Van Roode designed a series of mosaic panels: a continuous graphic artwork visible on both the front and side facades. During the renovation of the building, the mosaics resurfaced. They have been restored at Het Groot Handelshuis, which now houses a supermarket among other things.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Roode, Louis de

• District
  Centrum

• Art type
  Art in / on a building, Mosaic

• Material
  Stone