Dutch artist Reinoud Oudshoorn has transformed ordinary house numbers into striking sculptural works of art for a residential neighborhood in Amsterdam. The cast aluminum numbers, designed for the Olympian Quarter development, are expected to last 200 years and represent a unique fusion of functional design and artistic expression.
In 2008, when the Olympian Quarter—a new 900-unit residential neighborhood—was under construction in Amsterdam, developers sought something special to distinguish the community from other housing developments. The Amsterdam Foundation for the Arts commissioned Oudshoorn to create distinctive house numbers that would serve as both functional elements and artistic installations throughout the neighborhood.
Oudshoorn's background made him uniquely qualified for this project, as he represents something like a graphic designer who transitioned into industrial design. Originally trained as a painter, he grew dissatisfied with the limitations of two-dimensional work and began pushing into sculptural three-dimensional creations. This evolution in his artistic practice made him the perfect candidate to transform boring 2D characters into something visually interesting and engaging.
The artist's approach to the house numbers drew inspiration from the early 20th-century architecture movement known as the Amsterdam School. This movement's Expressionist style positioned itself between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, influences that are clearly visible in Oudshoorn's cast aluminum number designs. The architectural heritage of Amsterdam thus directly informed the aesthetic choices in these functional art pieces.
According to artistic hardware company Petra, which manufactures the numbers today, the designs "hold a middle ground between house number and sculpture, and are intended to evoke a strong sense of expression—touchable and shining, like huge drops of rain." This poetic description captures the way the numbers blur the line between purely functional signage and decorative art objects that enhance the visual appeal of the neighborhood.
The numbers continue to be produced in cast aluminum, the same material used in the original installation, with Petra estimating they have a 200-year lifespan. However, this durability comes at a premium price point—the numbers cost $625 each, reflecting both their artistic value and the quality of materials and craftsmanship involved in their production. As one commenter noted in response to the pricing, questioning whether that represents the cost per individual number, the investment represents a significant commitment to artistic enhancement of residential spaces.
The project demonstrates how thoughtful design can elevate everyday objects into works of art while maintaining their practical function. The Olympian Quarter house numbers serve as an example of how residential developments can incorporate artistic elements that contribute to neighborhood identity and visual character, creating lasting value through the intersection of industrial design, fine art, and architectural heritage.
