Botersloot 25, Bank building and municipal monument in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Botersloot 25 is a five-story bank building in Rotterdam featuring a symmetrical facade of glazed bricks set above a natural stone base. The structure displays the orderly, functional style of modern architecture with clean lines and straightforward proportions.
Architect J.J.P. Oud received the commission in 1942, but construction faced delays and modifications that extended completion until 1957. The building took more than a decade to finish due to these complications and adjustments.
Stone carvings of animals by sculptor Aart van den IJssel adorn the facade, depicting hamsters, squirrels, and bees that represent saving and thrift. These animal figures tell visitors about the virtues of financial responsibility that the bank once promoted.
The building is located in downtown Rotterdam and is easily accessible and visible from the street. Walking past the structure gives visitors a clear view of its mid-century modern design and the opportunity to study the facade details and stone carvings up close.
The entrance features decorative stones depicting a hand inserting a coin into a piggy bank, a striking visual symbol of the building's banking purpose. This artistic detail subtly reinforces the theme of saving and financial responsibility through everyday imagery.
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