SHV building, Utrecht

The SHV building is an office structure near Rijnkade that shows the defining features of Dutch post-war commercial architecture. It has clean lines, functional design elements, and organized facades that reflect the practical building approach of the reconstruction era.

Construction took place between 1960 and 1961 as part of the Netherlands' rebuilding efforts following World War II. It emerged during a period when the country needed modern office buildings to support its recovering economy.

The building displays artistic reliefs depicting themes of energy production, mining, and Rhine navigation that reflect the economic concerns of post-war Netherlands. These sculptures show what mattered most to the company and society during that era of recovery.

The building sits directly on Rijnkade, making it easy to find when walking along the street. The exterior can be viewed from public areas, and daylight hours offer the best view of the facade and relief sculptures.

The building is part of a specialized protection program for significant structures from the 1959 to 1965 reconstruction period. This program recognized that these buildings deserved to be safeguarded as important examples of their era.

Location: Utrecht

Inception: 1960

Architectural style: reconstruction-period architecture

Part of: Beschermingsprogramma Wederopbouw 1959-1965

GPS coordinates: 52.08972,5.11534

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43