The exhibition ‘All or nothing’ – Robert van ‘t Hoff, architect of a new society will show the oeuvre of architect and theorist Robert van ’t Hoff (1887-1979) and gives an insight into his personality. The work of the avant-garde architect, who was a member of the ‘De Stijl’ movement, reveals his deep social commitment. The exhibition will run from April 2 until August 29 2010.

An unusual feature of this retrospective exhibition is the complete interior of a study designed by Van ’t Hoff for his home in New Milton, which was recently donated to the museum by his daughter Megan van ’t Hoff (1922-2009). This interior and various other previously unknown objects featuring in the exhibition provide new insights into Van ’t Hoff’s struggle to rejuvenate architecture and realize his Utopian socialist philosophy.

This retrospective also includes other projects that are exhibited for the first time, such as a three-seat sofa (1920) and a small oak bookcase (circa 1933), which he had made for his own use. The architecture department of the TU Delft reconstructed a chair by Van ’t Hoff, the original of which, built by Rietveld in 1918, has been lost. In addition, the museum shows the original drawings and photographs of his built oeuvre, the best known examples of which are Zomerhuis Verloop (1914-1915) and Villa Henny (the Concrete Villa, 1914-1919) and furniture, sketches for communes and rare socio-utopian documents that were in his possession.

By also showing the work of artist and architect friends, such as the painters Mondriaan and Bomberg, and architects Elling and Rietveld, his revolutionary character and specific role within the progressive art movement of the early twentieth century becomes visible. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam.

The Kröller-Müller Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., the sculpture garden closes at 4.30 p.m.