Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Eindhoven
DAF Trucks N.V.

Detailed scale model of DAF main building in DAF Museum

‘It has taken on a life of its own and isn’t even finished yet’

Walk into the DAF Museum in Eindhoven and you literally can’t miss it: the enormous, superbly executed and highly detailed scale model of DAF’s historical main building in Eindhoven. Builder Rien Gerrits has been working as one of the 200 volunteers at the DAF Museum since 2018.

Detailed-scale-model-of-DAF-main-building-in-DAF-Museum-01 — This month, a magnificent and superbly detailed scale model of the main building at DAF Trucks went on display at the DAF Museum in Eindhoven. The builder, Rien Gerrits, is very proud. “It is being displayed in a terrific spot.”

Once you start looking, you simply can’t stop. There is so much to admire, including the fabulous mural in the hall and dozens of 3cm-tall figures, each one painted by hand. And it is not only the craftsmanship that is stunning. Rien’s attention to detail is also magnificent. You can even see the impressive desk used by DAF founder Hub van Doorne through one of the windows on the first floor.

Facade

Rien Gerrits (73) began building the model back in 2013. “I’m a member of the Eindhoven Model Builders Club,” he explains. “I was asked if I could build a model of the facade of DAF’s main building. Just the front, pretty easy actually. After I started working on it, I wanted to add the wings of the building too, but they are set back a little from the main building. The mural in the hall couldn’t be overlooked either, of course. And why have offices without desks and workers in them? And what about the lighting? It just went on and on.”

A terrific spot

“In the meantime, the project has taken on a life of its own. I’ve been working on the model for ten years now and it’s nowhere near finished yet. At the moment I’m working on the railings and the porter’s lodge. There are 34 different sets of railings and it takes me a whole day to make just one.” Fortunately, there is plenty of room in the DAF Museum to expand the model. Rien is delighted that his model can now be admired by the public. “It is being displayed in a terrific spot and everyone can come and see it.