Amsterdam is known for its social housing. In many neighborhoods, there has been deliberate thought about how people live and coexist. Less visible is the role women played in this, as designers, thinkers, and organizers of better living in the city.

On Thursday, January 29, there will be a free program at Museum Het Schip about the history of women and housing. The program Women & Housing focuses on their role from the early 20th century to the present.

Housing shortage and other perspectives

At the beginning of the 20th century, Amsterdam faced a severe housing shortage. Families often lived in small, unhealthy houses. The municipality and housing associations sought solutions beyond just building quickly. Homes needed to be healthier, with more light and air. Streets and neighborhoods were also part of daily life.

At that time, women viewed housing differently. They focused on the daily use of homes and on care and family. Women such as Louise Went, Wilhelmina Carolina Blomberg, Helena Mercier, and Johanna ter Meulen advocated for good housing and social provisions. They also drew attention to single women, who often fell outside the rules.

Women within the Amsterdam School

The Amsterdam School shaped a large part of the citys social housing. Especially in Amsterdam, this style received much space, as the municipality strongly emphasized quality and cohesion in new residential areas. The recognizable architecture went hand in hand with ideas about community and care for residents.

Women were active in various disciplines. Margaret Kropholler, the first female architect in the Netherlands, designed homes with a clear and practical layout. Her work shows that architecture begins with daily life at home.

Beauty and dignity

Women also made important contributions outside architecture. Graphic designers Fré Cohen and Tine Baanders provided printed materials for housing associations. Sculptor Louise Beijerman created artworks that became part of residential buildings and are still visible in the streetscape. Thus, art became a fixed part of everyday living.

Within social housing of that time, beauty was not considered a luxury. Decorations and attention to detail were part of daily life, even in working-class neighborhoods. This influenced how residents experienced their neighborhood. Living is not only about having a roof over ones head but also about dignity and recognition.

From then to now

The program connects this early history with the 1970s and 80s. Then, Black women and women with a migration background played an important role in improving housing conditions in Amsterdam. Through neighborhood initiatives and informal networks, they took action against neglect and exclusion. Their efforts were often decisive but mostly remained invisible. Furthermore, the program zooms in on the current housing crisis and the discussion about how ideals of justice are once again guiding todays and tomorrows policies.

Registration

Want to know more? The Women & Housing program takes place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 7:30 PM to 9:45 PM at Museum Het Schip. Participation is free, registration is mandatory and can be done via the museums website. There you will also find more information about the program and speakers.