Baksteen

Baksteen is a modular typeface designed by Ramiro Espinoza and inspired by the lettering on the façade of a former public primary school at Driftstraat 77 in Leiden, the Netherlands. The building was designed by architect J. Neysingh and inaugurated in 1927. Its original inscription is integrated into the brick façade and reflects the straightforward, functional approach to lettering common in early twentieth-century public architecture. Despite its age, the lettering has a surprisingly contemporary appearance, with forms that recall the visual language of 1970s electronics and technical graphics.
Espinoza analyzed the proportions and construction of the original letters and translated them into a modular digital system. The resulting typeface preserves the solid, architectural character of the source while providing improved consistency and a broader character set for contemporary use.
Baksteen is suitable for posters, websites, editorial design, branding, signage, games, electronic appliances, and digital applications that benefit from clear structure and an architectural tone. It offers a practical link between historical building lettering and modern typographic needs.