UNESCO World Heritage Site #157: Rietveld Schröder House

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 04:59 PM PST

With its radical approach to design and the use of space, the Rietveld is an icon of the Modern Movement in architecture and an outstanding expression of human creative genius in its purity of ideas and concepts as developed by the De Stijl movement. It occupies a seminal position in the development of architecture in the modern age.

It was commissioned by Mrs Truus Schröder-Schräder, designed by the architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld (1888-1965), and built in 1924. Mrs Schröder lived in the house for some 60 years, first with her children, then in the company of Rietveld, and finally alone. In the early years, until 1932, Rietveld kept a studio in the house; from 1958, after his wife died, he came to live there until his death. During this long period some changes were made in the interior, resulting partly from the needs of the inhabitants, partly from the experimental character of the building itself. The building is now a museum.

This is easily the smallest World Heritage site I have ever visited.

The Rietveld Schröder House is really just a small family home located in a neighborhood in Utrecht. Like many of the architectural World Heritage sites, it will probably be most interesting for students of architecture and design.

What makes the house interesting is how everything in the home seems to have dual usages or can be transformed into something else. Walls fold away, window coverings become wall furnishings, couches become beds and doors disappear.

The Rietveld Schröder House is not in the center of Utrecht. It requires a 15-20 minute walk from the center of town. A better option is to visit the Utrecht Centraal Museum (who operates the house) and rent a bike for the trip. They will provide you with maps to show you the route.

Entrance to the house is €12. Photography is not allowed inside and you can only enter on a guided tour.

This was the second stop in my November 2011 Eurail tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe.

View my complete list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel photos.

7 Things This World Traveler is Thankful For

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 12:03 PM PST

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States today, and while you can take the boy out of America, you can’t take the American out of the boy. So in that spirit I thought I’d list the things I’m thankful for this year.

Air Travel - Given how much we complain about airlines and airports it might seem odd to be thankful for air travel, but I am. We often forget how easy it is to travel nowadays. In real terms, the cost of air travel is as cheap as it has ever been. The notion of a “jet set” which is a rich elite who can afford to fly is passe. Today, almost anyone who saves their money can fly to almost any corner of the world. If it wasn’t for the advances in air transportation, world travel would be much more difficult.

The Internet - If it wasn’t for the Internet, this blog wouldn’t be possible (duh!) I wouldn’t be able to contact and meet people all around the world. I wouldn’t be able to communicate with my friends and family no matter where I am. It also lets me follow the Green Bay Packers in real time almost anywhere I am. Among the many things the Internet has touched, one of them is certainly travel.

My Chaco Sandals - It has to be really cold for me to not wear my sandals. I wore then when I crossed the Arctic Circle and I’m thinking of wearing them in Antarctica. I’ve walked so many miles in them they are beginning to wear out. Wearing sandals means I don’t have to wear socks which means less laundry.

My Immune System - I’ve had two cases of 24-hour food poisoning since I’ve been traveling. That is really the only sickness or illness I’ve suffered while I’ve been on the road. I don’t use hand sanitizer and I don’t take prescription medication. I don’t walk around like Howard Hughes hypochondriac. I’m thankful I have a strong immune system and that I’ve avoided having any serious accidents.

My Luck - In almost 5 years I haven’t been robbed nor have I lost anything major. I haven’t had any of my camera or computer gear seriously damaged. I try to be smart about things when I travel, but I also have to admit that I have just been very lucky.

My Assistant Amy - My long time friend Amy began helping me this year, and I can’t tell you how valuable she has been. While I have been out tramping around the world, she is the one who has been dealing with tourists boards, companies and hotels. She manages my schedule and basically tells me where to go (and I’m sure she often wants to tell me to go to hell). I am extremely thankful to have her in my corner.

You - Believe it or not, all of you who have been following along on my travels help keep me going. Every two weeks when I send out my email newsletter, I get messages of support and encouragement in return. All the emails, tweets and Facebook comments mean a lot when I’m sitting in hotel room in a foreign country by myself.

It really does mean the world to me, and I thank each and every one of you.

Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel photos.