A city’s character has been developed over the years; it is defined by his constructed environs which last so must longer than the inhabitants. Stone, steel, concrete and glass all are very patient. Nevertheless, houses and offices do need consumers, their temporary users, in order to remain erect. Becoming useless means getting demolished.
An architect prefers to see his drawings come alive most of the time. To preclude his creation’s transitoriness, the photographer is the architects’ unsurpassed companion. Nevertheless, in the context of the city the thought building will live its own life among streets, squares, gardens, cars and inhabitants finally. In the rustle of the city the building gains a permanent position in the town’s view. This is what architectural photography has to stand for: granting the building its position in the city’s environs. In this way instead of the architecture the building wil be the real issue.
publications:
- De Estafette; Kees Rijnboutt stadsstedenbouwer, Den Haag published by ‘Gemeente Den Haag’
- Stad in Vorm; de vernieuwing van Den Haag 1985-2000   isbn 90-6450-406-7
- 78 jaar Schippers Architecten bna published by ‘Schippers Architecten’, Den Haag
Architecture, or Building & Environs
the city’s inmate