Openbaar

Openbaar is a distinctive display typeface by Paula Mastrangelo, inspired by the modular lettering found on the facade of the Public Elementary School Professor Casimir in Voorburg, Netherlands. Located above the side entrance on the Plaats van Middendorp street, these fat, geometric letters reflect the spirit of early 20th-century Dutch architecture and were likely designed by architect W. van der Sluis, though no official attribution survives.
With Openbaar, Mastrangelo has carefully reinterpreted the original inscription, preserving its rhythmic construction and unique modularity while expanding it into a full alphabet for contemporary use. The result is a typeface that feels both architectural and expressive—ideal for editorial headlines, signage, packaging and branding projects seeking historical depth with a modern edge.
Openbaar is more than a revival; it’s a tribute to an era when typography and architecture worked hand in hand to shape public space. Now available through ReType, it brings a hidden gem of Dutch design into the digital age.