© KLM Aerocarto
The National Aviation Laboratory in Amsterdam was designed by Willem van Tijen and Hugh Maaskant and completed in 1941. The complex was created for scientific research into aviation, aircraft construction and related technologies.
The architecture is a characteristic example of the Nieuwe Zakelijkheid. The building combines modern construction techniques with traditional brickwork, creating what became known as a “shake-hands” approach between modernism and Dutch architectural tradition.
The main building is organised around a large hall and meeting facilities, while the complex also included specialised research spaces and a wind tunnel. Its curved concrete roofs and extensive glazing give the building a distinctive technical character.
The architecture is closely related to its function. Large spaces, specialised equipment and future adaptability were essential requirements. Rather than hiding the technical nature of the programme, Maaskant and Van Tijen expressed it through the structure and materials.
The laboratory became an important centre for Dutch aerospace research and later evolved into the National Aerospace Laboratory, or NLR.
The complex remains in use by the NLR today. Its continued scientific function makes it a particularly strong example of how functionalist architecture can remain relevant for decades when its spatial organisation is closely connected to its purpose.
