This thesis takes a closer look at how the design and layout of Huis Sonneveld, a modernist villa from the 1930s designed by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt, reflects and reinforces the gender roles of that time. The villa was commissioned by Albertus Sonneveld for his wife Gésine and their two daughters. While the house was very modern for its time, it still says a lot about how people viewed the roles of men and women back then.
The research focuses on three main things. First, the gender norms that shaped domestic life in the 1930s. Then the design ideas of Brinkman and Van der Vlugt. And finally, how the layout and features of Huis Sonneveld tell a story about class and gender. Even though the house followed modern ideas like openness, light, and new technology, it also kept some very traditional ideas at the same time.
This becomes quite clear when looking at how the spaces were organized. There was a strong separation between public areas, private family rooms, and service spaces. There were also big differences between Mr. and Mrs. Sonneveld’s work areas. And although the servants’ quarters were well designed for that period, they still reflected a clear social order. Mrs. Sonneveld was very involved in running the home and used the modern systems, but her role was still mostly tied to domestic life.
In the end, Huis Sonneveld shows how a home can look modern but still carry old values. It proves that architecture does more than reflect style. It also reflects what people expected from each other, especially when it comes to gender and class.