Key projects by Herman Hertzberger

Here's a selection of projects by Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger, who was named as this year's Royal Gold Medal recipient this morning.

Top: portrait by Hans van den Bogaard
Above: Montessori School, Delft (1960-66), photograph is by Johan van der Keuken

Hertzberger will receive the prize in February 2012 - more details in our earlier Dezeen Wire story.

Above: Montessori School, Delft (1960-66), photograph is by Herman van Doorn

Here's Hertzberger's biography from the RIBA:

Born in 1932 Herman Hertzberger opened his own firm of architects in 1960, the present-day Architectuurstudio HH in Amsterdam. One of his major influences on 20th century architecture was to challenge the early modernist belief that ‘form follows function’ - that the shape of the building was defined by its purpose.

Above: Lin Mij Textile Workshop, Amsterdam (1962-64), demolished, photograph is by Jan Versnel

Hertzberger believes that the core function of a building does not provide the total solution to space usage: it is a framework that should enable its users to interpret and define how they inhabit it.

Above: Lin Mij Textile Workshop, Amsterdam (1962-64), demolished, photograph is by Jan Versnel

His buildings offer flexible ‘in between’ spaces that encourage our deeper human needs of dwelling and social activity.

Above: Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72), photograph is by Aviodrome Luchtfotografie

His celebrated Montessori School in Delft (1960-66) rethought the way that classrooms were laid out, with L-shaped rooms creating different zones.

Above: Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72), photograph is by Willem Diepraam

Images of children playing and learning on broad wooden steps as a creative space inspired many architects of schools across northern Europe.

Above: Centraal Beheer Apeldoorn (1968-72), photograph is by Willem Diepraam

His exemplary workplace Central Baheer in Apeldoorn (1968-72) was designed with the needs of the individual at its core and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment in The Hague (1979-90) was one of the first buildings to develop the idea of the internal street or elongated atrium to encourage social interaction and get light into all the rooms.