Dutch-born artist Piet Mondrian (1872–1944) was introduced to art at an early age by his father, a drawing teacher at a local primary school. At the age of 20, Mondrian entered the Academy for Fine Art in Amsterdam and formally began his career as an artist and teacher. In the early stages, Mondrian’s artwork consisted of more traditional landscape paintings, but in 1911, his style was greatly influenced by Cubism—specifically, works by Paul Cézanne, Georges Braque, and Pablo Picasso. Shortly after, Mondrian moved to Paris and his artwork began to turn more abstract.

In 1917, alongside Dutch painter Theo van Doesburg, Mondrian cofounded the De Stijl movement, which was made up of artists and architects who touted simplified visual compositions—straight lines, vertical and horizontal—and the use of only black, white, and primary colors.

Today, Mondrian is regarded as a pioneer of 20th century abstract art and is best-known for his paintings, but his long-lasting legacy has been widespread, influencing architectural masters (Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, and the Eameses among them), fashion designers (see: Yves Saint Laurent’s 1965 cocktail dresses), and even musicians. The Dutch painter’s influence on pop culture is still apparent, with Mondrian-inspired coin pouches, vases, wallpaper, and even Nikes. Read on for six buildings from more recent times that embody the spirit of Mondrian’s oeuvre.

1. A Mondrian-Inspired Bathroom Reno in Virginia

2. San Francisco’s (Former) Famed “Mondrian House”

3. The “Breakfast With Mondrian” Concept-Apartment

Bulgarian studio Brani & Desi’s concept-apartment design translates Mondrian’s paintings into 3-D form, highlighting the characteristic lines and primary colors of the painter’s artworks." layout="wide" credit="Photo courtesy of Brani & Desi" photoUserId=""/>

4. A “Mondrianized” Netherlands City Hall

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the De Stijl movement, the Dutch town of The Hague turned its city hall into a Mondrian masterpiece. Artists from Studio Vollaerszwart repainted the building in 2017, which was designed by American architect Richard Meier in 1955.I" layout="wide" credit="Photo courtesy of Vollaerszwart" photoUserId=""/>

5. An Artful 807-Square-Foot Apartment in Oslo

Ukrainian industrial and interior designer Daria Zinovatnaya incorporated colors and lines that bring to mind the paintings of Mondrian in this 807-square-foot apartment in Oslo, Norway." layout="" credit="Courtesy of Daria Zinovatnaya" photoUserId=""/>

6. A Mondrian-Inspired NYC Studio Apartment

The Midcentury-Modern Colored Tile Bathroom Is Back, Thank God

Appears In

6 Colorful, Geometric Buildings Inspired by Piet Mondrian