Other buildings

At dozens of places throughout Leiden you can find designs by Buurman. On the map above you can see exactly where to find them.

At dozens of places throughout Leiden you can find designs by Buurman. On the map above you can see exactly where to find them (Fig. 1). The buildings are part of the cityscape of Leiden. For example, in between the busy Stationsweg and Molen de Valk you can find Buurman’s Amicitia Sociëteit (Fig. 2). Originally built on commission by Katholieke Sociëteit Minerva as a new association building, it now houses Stadscafé Van der Werff. The Meelfabriek (Fig. 3) and the Nieuwe Energie (Fig. 4) are both buildings that immediately stand out because of their size; respectively number 7 and 12 on the map. Also the Meisjesvakschool on the Groenhazengracht, the Ambachtsschool on the Haagweg, the Haanstraschool on Vliet 8-12, the Wolpakhuis on the Herengracht, the Israëlitische Weesschool, close to Buurman’s house on the Cronesteinkade, and the Odulfuskerk are all his designs. Every building or complex – just as the Transvaalhof and the Grevenstraat, equally commissioned by the Werkmanswoningen – is unique, but if you were to compare everything, there is definitely some uniformity. The yellow and purple-reddish bricks, the horizontal lines, and Buurman’s characteristic façades are recognizable in each project.

The granddaughter of this architect has mapped out a bike tour which brings you to all his buildings. If you have an hour to spare and want to do this tour, you can download the route from Bernard Buurman Fietstocht Flyer. Every stop comes with a short explanation, and the tour can be started at any point.