Museum Het Schip: housing as an architectural ideal
The Amsterdam museum marks its 25th year in an expressive housing block from 1919. Its permanent display explores the Amsterdam School.
Museum Het Schip is housed in a working-class housing complex in Amsterdam West designed by Michel de Klerk. The expressionist block was built in 1919 for housing association Eigen Haard. The museum itself occupies the complex’s former school building.
The museum turns twenty-five in 2026. That anniversary coincides with 125 years since the Dutch Housing Act, which the museum says enabled housing construction on a large scale and improved living conditions for workers.
The permanent exhibition Amsterdamse School, verbeelde idealen was renewed in 2025. It pays greater attention to women artists and architects, international connections and craftsmanship. Objects on display include works by Piet Kramer, Michel de Klerk and Hildo Krop.
On a guided interior tour, visitors see a former slum dwelling, a post office and a model apartment. The tour costs an extra €2 with a regular ticket, Museumkaart, student card, VriendenLoterij VIP card or I amsterdam City Card; with an ICOM or Rembrandt card the supplement is €7.50. Tours leave on the hour from noon to 4 p.m.; the 3 p.m. tour is in English.
Museum Het Schip is at Oostzaanstraat 45 and opens Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it closes on Monday. The museum is wheelchair accessible, although the model apartment is only partly accessible.
Regular admission is €17.50; Museumkaart holders enter free. Students and CJP cardholders pay €8. Children aged four and under enter free.