When I started this project I suspected that the history of the Geuzenhof in Amsterdam (NL) would provide a unique story – but was nevertheless surprised that it also has all the ingredients of a classic soap opera.

Next year, my research The Story of Geuzenhof will be published on the collection platform ‘The Other Interface’ of Het Nieuwe Instituut Rotterdam (NL).

In addition, I will translate the story into an exhibition.

In my research so far, I conducted more than 15 interviews and dug into numerous archives. I am fortunate to get professional support with the archive research from 3D designer Hagen Mumm and information specialist Bauke Jousma.

My special thanks go to all the people who spoke with me at length on the subject:

I talked to Saskia Sap van Saane and Jacqueline Sap van Saane about their father, the building contractor Huibert van Saane, who developed the vision for the Geuzenhof in the early 1930s.

Leo den Dulk, author of the wonderful book Mien Ruys–De complete biografie visited me at Geuzenhof and gave me his view on how the original garden fit into the oeuvre of landscape architect Mien Ruys.

Lucie Dunnebier, the daughter of Geuzenhof architect Jacob Dunnebier, shared wonderful anecdotes with me about her father. Her husband Henk Huig had many interesting details to add.

I went through the oeuvre of Jakoba Mulder with Linda Vlassenrood, who is writing a Ph.D. about the urban planner who focused on the ‘green’ development of the city. Mulder worked with Cornelis van Eesteren on expansion plans for the Amsterdam district to which the Geuzenhof belongs.

Van Eesteren’s nephew Huib van Eesteren told me a lot of interesting facts about the architectural legacy of his uncle.

Marie-Louise Boel, who was alderman of district De Baarsjes in the 1990s, shared many valuable details about the renovation of Geuzenhof and the cooperation between political authorities and city residents.

Corry Siegers, general director of Copijn, explained to me the management of a contemporary ‘green’ company and the numerous work processes they have carried out in the course of the redevelopment of the Geuzenhof 1 garden.

Julia Passchier, landscape architect at Copijn, told me what landscape architecture-studies involve today and how this is translated into practice.

Kees Hilgers, an ex-resident who was born at Geuzenhof in 1947, described the atmosphere he experienced here as a child in surprising detail.

Ben Berndsen, who works as a volunteer at the Historisch Archief De Baarsjes surprised me with old photos of the Geuzenhof.

I have also spoken to many (former) residents of Geuzenhof, each of whom had interesting stories to tell.

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