stefan glerum spans stained glass façade across amsterdam housing complex

stefan glerum spans stained glass façade across amsterdam housing complex
exterior photos by luuk kramer, interior photos by niels gerson lohman

amsterdam’s oostpoort neighborhood has undergone a vast transformation in recent history. since the closing of the old oostergasfabriek — a 19th century gas factory and prominent feature of the site — the area was used for a variety of purposes including business, research and sport.

local artist stefan glerum has translated the manifold history of the region onto a stained glass façade that spans 18 meters across a new residential complex. the two colossal compositions embedded into the housing project designed by heren 5 architecten illustrate the colorful journey of the site.

the two colossal compositions illustrate the colorful journey of the site

the stained glass window in the front of the building references the extraction of gas from coal, one of the old gas holders — which transforms into the sportfondsenbad swimming pool — a former animal shelter, a manoeuvre by british fighter planes during WW2, the don bosco school, cobra artist anton rooskens and an old milk and paint factory. 


the window at the rear tells personal stories associated with the location: public bathing for factory workers of the gas factory, garden allotments — used extensively after WW2 to grow fruits and vegetables — the musicians of the red fanfare who rehearsed there, the laboratory of professor ernst laqueur who did research on beef and discovered estrogen, a discovery of a hidden treasure in the former synagogue on the linnaeusstraat and korfball club victoria.

the musicians of the red fanfare are colorfully depicted in the stained glass composition 

abstract figures represent the musicians that rehearsed on site 

a second tier illustrates the laboratory of professor ernst laqueur who did research on beef 

detail of professor ernst laqueur and his colorful laboratory

the two interconnected compositions illustrate two parts of the site’s diverse history

detail of the spread showing the discovery of a hidden treasure in the former synagogue

the discovery of treasure is illustrated above the depiction of professor ernst laqueur

detail of the colorful geometries that are formed by the stained glass panes 

animals from a former shelter are illustrated in the glass 

faces are drawn in glerum’s distinct graphic style 

vibrantly colored figures can be seen playing the trumpet and drums 

the different shades cast colorful hues within the interior of the residential complex