Gevelontwerpen voor een huis langs de Prinsessengracht te Den Haag 1897

These are Gerrit Jan Thieme’s ‘Gevelontwerpen voor een huis langs de Prinsessengracht te Den Haag’, created using lithography. The design presents two distinct architectural facades, starkly contrasting in their realization: ‘Niet uitgevoerd ontwerp’ and ‘Uitgevoerd ontwerp’, suggesting an exploration of architectural possibilities versus practical executions. The lithographic medium allows for detailed articulation of the façades, emphasizing line and form. The unexecuted design shows elaborate details, which contrasts with the executed design. The formal tension between the two versions reveals an engagement with architectural theory and practical building constraints. The arrangement of the designs on the same plane invites a semiotic reading of architectural signs. The visual dialogue prompts us to question the choices and compromises inherent in bringing architectural ideas to life, thereby opening a discourse on the broader implications of design in society. The work reflects how architectural choices intersect with cultural values and practical realities.