About Jo van den Broek
Lived 1898 – 1978 (aged 79). Jo van den Broek was a Dutch architect and university teacher.
Johannes Hendrik van den Broek (; 4 October 1898 – 6 September 1978) was a Dutch architect influential in the rebuilding of Rotterdam after World War II. He is known for his work with Jaap Bakema, in their practice as Van den Broek en Bakema, and as one of the founders of Nieuwe Bouwen, the modernist movement in Dutch architecture.
Early life and education Johannes Hendrik van den Broek was born in Rotterdam on 4 October 1898.
Career Van den Broek joined Johannes Brinkman in 1936, after the death of Brinkman's partner Leendert van der Vlugt. The new firm was named Brinkman and Van den Broek Architects. Their work during this time including a new terminal building for the Holland-America cruise line.
From 1948 onward, van den Broek worked with Jacob Bakema. After Brinkman's death, the architectural firm was known as Van den Broek en Bakema (Van den Broek & Bakema). The practice played a leading role in Dutch post-war reconstruction rebuilding and expanding the housing in the Netherlands. The two architects collaborated to design landmarks and neighborhoods in Rotterdam and around the Netherlands.
Van den Broek and Bakema participated in the 1957 Interbau project in Berlin, a post-war building project in which 13 prominent international architects designed buildings for the Hansaviertel. Although their building, known as the Bakema Tower, was not constructed until two years after the exhibition of the project opened in July 1957, the plans and models were included in the catalogue. This was regarded as one of the firm's most significant projects.
The practice became known for its large-scale building projects and its problem-solving ability, and it generated new ideas about architecture, urbanism, and society. Bakema stayed on after Van den Broek left the practice in the early 1970s.
Death and legacy Van den Broek died on 6 September 1978 in The Hague, aged 79.
He was one of the founders of Nieuwe Bouwen, the modernist movement in Dutch architecture and construction after 1930.
The firm still exists to this day and is now known as .
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Jo van den Broek's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jo van den Broek's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jo van den Broek?
Dutch architect (1898-1978)
When was Jo van den Broek born?
Jo van den Broek was born on 4 October 1898 in Rotterdam.
When did Jo van den Broek die?
Jo van den Broek died on 6 September 1978 in The Hague, Wassenaar.
What was Jo van den Broek's occupation?
Jo van den Broek was an architect and university teacher.
What nationality was Jo van den Broek?
Jo van den Broek was Dutch.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jo van den Broek. https://biography.guide/jo-van-den-broek/
MLA: "Jo van den Broek." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jo-van-den-broek/.
Chicago: "Jo van den Broek." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jo-van-den-broek/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:32 UTC