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Hilversum Town Hall

This is unquestionably Dudok's masterpiece. Built in 1928-1931, this building has wide international fame and features in many architecture textbooks. The building has a remarkable shape and feels like a combination of blocks.It's built with specifically designed yellow bricks that have a slightly different size than traditional ones.Dudok is also responsible for the interior, the furniture, the decorations and even the font. Every Sunday at 2PM, there is a guided tour through the town hall for €7.50. It is in Dutch, but the guide will also tell something in English upon request. It gives you the chance to view some rooms closed to the public, such as the marriage room and the mayor room. You will also visit the Dudok Dependance, a permanent overview of Dudoks life and work. At the end, you will climb the 46 metre tower for a nice view of Hilversum and the surrounding areas. There are special arrangements possible for groups. For bookings, call the listed phone number or ask the staff of Museum Hilversum.

Dudok Dependance

The Dudok Dependance is a separate part of Hilversum's famous town hall, located in the basement of the building. Administered by the Museum Hilversum, it is basically a permanent overview of Dudoks life and work. There's also an exposition on the renovation of the town hall, which took place during 1989-1996. It took 5 years to restore the exterior and the interior to their original state, which almost plunged the municipality of Hilversum into bankruptcy. Keep in mind that it's only opened on Wednesday and Sunday afternoon.

Former AVRO Studios

are the only buildings in Hilversum to have a miniature copy in Madurodam, since the miniature copy of Town Hall Hilversum burnt down. The studios were designed by B. Merkelback and Ch.F. Karsten. Studio 1 opened in 1936, studio 2 in 1940 at the other side of the Melkpad road. Studio 2 looks like a music box in the shape of the sound box of a violin. Both buildings are connected with an underground tunnel. Now it's the home of the tv-production company Blue Circle, but the letters "AVRO" can still be seen if you look closely.

Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision

This building from 2006 is interesting for its remarkable architecture, and even won the Dutch Golden Pyramid award. Don't be fooled by its size: its actually twice as massive, as half of the building is underground One century of Dutch television and radio archives are stored there. This colourful 'block' is a design of Jaap Drupsteen. The glass windows show important moments in Dutch television history. Inside is an interactive museum and a gigantic display of Dutch audiovisual archives. However, you must have a profound interest in the Dutch cultural heritage to be able to enjoy that as a foreigner.

Rainbow Church

Although a church, it doesn't look anything like one from the outside. It's basically a giant grey block made of glass. Designed in 2000 by architects Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, who also designed the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. They used glass so the inside and the outside of the building don't feel separated, while the inside retains its intimite atmosphere for religious ceremonies.

Sanatorium Zonnestraal

Located in a quiet forest between Hilversum and Loosdrecht, this big estate is one of Duiker's architectural marvels.It is one of the best examples of the New Objectivity style.Zonnestraal consists of one large main building, two smaller pavilions and some additional buildings that were added later, like the Koepel, which now functions as a visitors centre.The buildings are made of concrete and glass, in Duiker's typical colours of white, black and a specific kind of light-blue called 'Duiker blue'.The best way to explore this building is by taking the guided tour.Every last Sunday of the month, at noon and 2PM, you can take a 90-minute tour around the estate, starting from the Koepel.It's required to make a reservation by phone or e-mail.Cost is €6.50, bring it with you in cash and hand it over to the guide when the tour starts.

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