In 1962, our father, Ton de Gier, a graduate urban planner, bought a piece of land on Willem Mulierhof. At the time, the city was still dirty and hectic. That is why he had conceived the plan to build his family home in West. Not far from the city, but outside in the countryside where there was still plenty of space.
As Head of Urban Development at the Local authority , our father had a clear vision for the city. He understood better than anyone that the city needed to invest in mobility and that it was bursting at the seams. With this vision, he laid the foundation for new neighborhoods such as West, Buitenveldert, and Bijlmer, as well as the Metro line.
Cornelis van Eesteren
De Gier was previously a student of Cornelis Van Eesteren (1897-1988). Van Eesteren was a famous architect and was known for his functionalist urban designs. He was a member of De Stijl and designed, among other things, the Western Garden Cities. Van Eesteren always designed based on experience. His designs always had to contain something surprising, something adventurous. But people also had to feel at home there.
The ideas of this teacher are reflected not only in De Gier's work as an urban planner, but also in the design of his house. Light, simplicity, craftsmanship, and space dominate. But the single-story house also has a dynamic design with all kinds of playful nooks and Rooms. It has a very pleasant atmosphere. After two years, in 1964, the family of six moved in.
Our father didn't like nonsense and was very principled. While our neighbors' children went to school in Amsterdam-Zuid at the time, we just went to school here. He believed very strongly in this neighborhood.
This house means a lot to us. It is our foundation. We have had a wonderful time here. Our mother was also able to grow old here. It is now time to pass the house on to others. People who will make new memories here and enjoy it together as we have enjoyed it as a family.
Our fondest memory? That would have to be skating right outside our door. The ice here quickly becomes thick enough. We would step right onto the ice from our garden. And then we would skate along the farm ditches towards the Sloterplas lake. Wonderful.
