Houtvaart

Houtvaart is a display typeface by Ramiro Espinoza, strongly inspired by the distinctive lettering found on the façade of the historic De Houtvaart swimming pool in Haarlem, Netherlands. Built in 1927 and located in the Houtvaartkwartier district, the monumental building is an outstanding example of Dutch Cubist architecture and was designed by architect P. F. de Bordes. Recognized today as a protected heritage site, De Houtvaart continues to draw admiration not only for its architecture but also for the striking, geometric letters that identify it.
Espinoza, captivated by the building's visual harmony and the bold stylization of its signage, meticulously documented and digitized the original letterforms. The result is Houtvaart, a typeface that channels the spirit of early 20th-century modernism with minimalist shapes, no curves, and compressed proportions.
Houtvaart is particularly well-suited for use in museum communications, architecture books, electronic music festivals, posters, artist websites, museum catalogs, or any design project that calls for a bold and unconventional aesthetic. Both a typographic homage and a tool for expressive, historically aware design, Houtvaart invites designers to make a confident visual statement.