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Museum Het Schip (The Ship) is a shining example of social housing in the Netherlands.
Commissioned in 1917 by the socialist housing cooperative Eigen Haard and designed by Dutch architect Michel de Klerk, Het Schip was completed in 1921. Today, it serves both as a museum and a residential building.
The structure is a showcase of the Amsterdam School, an architectural movement that broke away from traditional styles by focusing on individuality, craftsmanship, traditional materials, and intricate construction. This style was instrumental in shaping social housing designs of the time.
The museum features an interactive exhibition on the movement, including a collection of furniture, sculptures and other works of art. But the highlight is the guided tour, included in the ticket price. Lasting about an hour, it takes visitors around the building to admire its orange-brick facade, a reconstructed 19th-century slum apartment, the former post office, and an original apartment in 1920s style.
The unconventional, mesmerizing orange-brick building is an remarkable example of Dutch social housing and architectural aesthetic.
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Know Before You Go
The Ship is easily accessible by foot, bike, car or public transportation. From Amsterdam Central Station, it’s about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bike ride to the museum. Bus 22 (to Station Sloterdijk) and Bus 48 (to Houthavens) depart from Central Station. The stop for Museum Het Schip is Oostzaanstraat; from there, it’s a 300-meter walk. You can also take a tram to Haarlemmerpoort; from the stop, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the museum.
Tours are available Tuesday through Sunday at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. The English tour is at 3 p.m.
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August 29, 2025
