van geel

Rietveld Schröder House: A Biography of the House tells the story of the iconic house and its creators, Truus Schröder (1889-1985) and Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964). The construction of the house, the designs by ’Schröder & Rietveld Architects’, the war years, the renovations and the many family parties: this richly illustrated publication builds up a picture of the colourful life of the idiosyncratic Rietveld Schröder House.

In addition to many previously unpublished photographs, drawings, designs and letters, the book provides in-depth insight into Rietveld and Schröder’s collaboration and their shared ambition to radically change traditional (interior) architecture. The research by authors Natalie Dubois and Jessica van Geel also convincingly shows that Truus Schröder’s role was far greater than previously assumed. As a gifted designer, Schröder was much more than Gerrit Rietveld’s ’muse’. Her creative vision proved crucial to their joint projects.

With its bespoke design by Irma Boom, this publication is a tribute to the world-famous house built in 1924 that continues to inspire today. Rietveld Schröder House: A Biography of the House is an accessible and essential reference work for lovers of modern architecture, art history and revolutionary daring.

This publication coincides with the centenary of the Rietveld Schröder House, and is issued in collaboration with Centraal Museum Utrecht.

Jessica van Geel (born 1973) is a Dutch writer, journalist and historian. She studied history at Utrecht University. She then did a postgraduate course in journalism at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and worked as an editor at NRC from 2006 to 2015. Van Geel became known as a writer and historian for her well-received book I love you, Rietveld (2018) about Truus Schröder and her relationship with Gerrit Rietveld.