The Multi-Sensory House

Accesible

Through a series of interventions, designers Simon Dogger and Hedwich Hooghiemstra have brought the house to life and made it accessible to people who are blind or partially sighted.

Modern villa

Now a national heritage site, in the 1930s Sonneveld House was the home of Van Nelle factory director Albert Sonneveld, his wife Gésine and their daughters Puck and Gé. The modernist villa is a perfect example of functionalist architecture, decorated in the avant-garde style of the time. When you visit the Sonneveld House Museum, you enter the world of a wealthy Rotterdam family in the 1930s.

Coffee

A subtle aroma indicates the function of a room: the kitchen smells of freshly brewed coffee, and a soft soapy scent greets you in the bathroom. You can also experience the advanced technology of the time, for which the house is known. For the residents of the 1930s, the ringing of the telephone was part of modern life and there are no fewer than 12 of them. You can also hear the music and conversations of the time through the radio speakers.

Tactile model

Dogger and Hooghiemstra have also designed a tactile model, so that blind or partially sighted visitors can get an idea of the house. A tactile floor plan with relief helps visitors to find their way around.

Tours

In consultation with Dogger and Hooghiemstra, the Detour Guides have developed a tour of the multi-sensory house with an emphasis on sensory experiences. Check the website for dates and times.