vibrant postmodernism: david altrath’s lens on wall house no. 2 in the netherlands

David Altrath captures postmodern landmark in Groningen

In his latest photographic venture, David Altrath captures the iconic landmark known as Wall House No. 2 in Groningen, Netherlands, designed by architect John Quentin Hejduk. The structure, emblematic of 1980s and 1990s postmodern architecture, features a striking blend of shapes, colors, and unique details. Vibrant organic volumes interconnect via a geometric bridge, with a towering 14-meter-high concrete wall rising between them. The result sees an exuberant private residence set against the serene Dutch green landscape.

the story of John Hejduk’s Wall House No. 2

John Hejduk originally designed Wall House No. 2 in 1973 as a weekend retreat for landscape architect A.E. Bye. However, it wasn’t until 2001 that the structure was built as part of the Blue Moon architecture festival in Groningen. In his photography series, David Altrath (find more here) captures the main features of the residence, including its notable 14-meter-high and 18.5-meter-long wall, and the organically shaped rooms suspended around it. On the other side of the wall, there’s the entrance, an interior bridge, and an office. The colorful and multifaceted facade is adorned with diverse window shapes, enhancing the richness and cheerfulness of the design.

Since 2004, Wall House has served cultural purposes under the Stichting Wall House Number 2 foundation, hosting artist residencies, public tours, events, and functioning as a knowledge center. In the summer of 2005, it opened to the public with various activities such as artist residencies, public tours, events, and knowledge development. Currently, the iconic landmark is managed by the Groninger Museum to ensure its public use and cultural significance.

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project info: 

name: Wall House Number 
architect: John Quentin Hejduk
location: Groningen, Netherlands
photography: David Altrath | @davidaltrath