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PARKSIDE ON THE EASTSIDE

Hotel Arena is located in Amsterdam’s major public park Oosterpark, within a listed building dating back to 1886. Once a Catholic orphanage, then a municipal sleep-in and eventually a youth and culture centre, Hotel Arena was re-opened as a 3-starred hospitality destination in 2002. Over the years it transformed into a 4-star hotel, undergoing its final renovation in 2017, including a new wing with additional rooms, an event venue in the restored chapel and an integration of two pavilions. The entrance was moved park-side to benefit from the hotel’s lush location within the city park.

In collaboration with Team V Architecture, we welcomed nature in to design the new spaces. Each area brings the outside in with a warm and natural material palette, complemented by sustainably sourced furniture. Open layouts, plenty of daylight and a greenery transform Hotel Arena into the extension of Oosterpark. One of the major challenges was to preserve the characteristics of the historical building and connect them with the new spaces. We kept the original elements clean and white to showcase the monumental architecture, while giving the new areas a timeless and cozy quality with accent touches like a fireplace or vintage furniture.

The Park cafe-restaurant, housed in one of the new pavilions, is an organic continuation of the park-side entrance. Here nature and urban dwelling seamlessly blend to offer Amsterdammers and visitors alike an escape from city bustle. The outer glass walls remove the indoor-outdoor boundary and give the space an airy quality. Earthy tones of timber and leather are contrasted with concrete and smokey-blue velvet furnishings to create an eclectic urban vibe.

Upon entering, a free-hanging fireplace frames the lounge area to create a convivial welcome. The island bar leads into the dining experience, complete with a prepping counter and a wine display at the back. A wooden floor elevation and a grid of reinforced steel over a timber ceiling intuitively call out the dining area within the space. The cocktail zone around the bar transitions towards greenhouses framed by a series of green trellises, where guests can dwell, work and replenish. During the day Park is a relaxing sanctuary in the heart of the city. At night it’s a vibrant hotspot, beaming with energy and light in the midst of Oosterpark.

A COSMOPOLITAN OUTLOOK

OD75 is a redevelopment project that transforms an old Shell office in Amsterdam into a residential property. We designed the interior for the building’s luxury penthouse, located on the brand new rooftop with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and panoramic views.

The interior is a contemporary take on luxury, with a mix of everyday and premium materials, ranging from thick wood, concrete, marble, brass and velvet. Grand bold gestures visually zone the space, creating a “landmark” for each area. A continuous marble block transitions from a kitchen into a bar overlooking the cityscape to create a flexible leisure, eating and working space. A large dining table sets the area for private gatherings, anchored by TANK’s custom-designed TNK.01 chandelier. Positioned on an elevated wooden platform, the open living room features a generous sofa, complemented by a modern fireplace that adds a cozy touch along with a seating nook for reading and lounging. The bedroom is a wellness sanctuary with stunning views, complete with a sumptuous bathtub and vanity table.

During the day, the open space brings in the light and an airy outdoor feel. At night, an articulated lighting landscape creates different moods throughout the house.

A NEIGHBOURHOOD LIVING ROOM

Café Zurich's interior of robust materials gives the café an authentic and warm ambiance.