pullmanvorm

Pullmanvorm is a term used in Dutch-language design and architectural discourse to describe a visual and spatial form inspired by the streamlined silhouette and compartmentalized layouts of classic Pullman railway cars. The name combines Pullman, after the luxury carriages introduced by the Pullman Company in the United States, with vorm, the Dutch word for form.

Characteristic features of a pullmanvorm include pronounced horizontal emphasis, elongated proportions, rounded edges, and a modular, privacy-oriented arrangement of spaces. In interiors, it may manifest as long runs of seating, continuous surfaces, and low-profile furniture that creates a sense of lounge-like calm. In architecture and façade design, it can be seen in elongated blocks, ribbon windows, and smooth, curvilinear transitions that evoke a quiet, refined movement. In product design, items adopt streamlined silhouettes and modular components that can be reconfigured with ease.

Pullmanvorm is not a formal architectural style but rather a descriptive term used by designers and critics to evoke a particular mood of comfort, flow, and restrained luxury associated with historical railway travel. Its use varies across contexts and regions, and it often serves as a comparative concept rather than a strict set of rules.

See also: Pullman car, streamline moderne, modular design, interior design history.