FF Berlage started as a research project about the typography of the prominent Dutch architect Hendrik Pieter Berlage (1856 1935). Donald Beekman based the design on a great number of sources, but mainly lettering found in two of Berlage s most quintessential buildings, the Amsterdam Commodities Exchange building (called Beurs van Berlage), and the ANDB building for the Amsterdam diamond cutters union (called De Burcht). Berlage is considered the father of modern architecture in The Netherlands due to his revolutionary theories on architecture and design, that would greatly influence many Dutch architect groups, like the Amsterdam School and De Stijl.