Compiled by Team IAnD
Photography: Ewout Huibers; courtesy i29 interior architects
Read Time: 3 mins
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i29 interior architects rise to the challenge of bringing Amsterdam’s historic 1788 build-ing to the ‘now’ - a nod to its cultural legacy and a new chapter of the cultural house for curious minds...
Counted as one of the most important listed monuments in Amsterdam, this unique 1788 building was a hot-spot for creativity and cross-overs during the intellectual movement "The Enlightenment", when it housed five different departments: Music, Commerce, Literature, Physics and Drawing.
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| Reception |
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| Reception |
This 2020, studio i29 refurbishes the building with a distinct and charismatic design, in-spired by its rich history. Starting from the premise that each of the rooms should depict their identity, just as in 1788 each department was given its own interpretation, every space within the building refers to a specific period in the building's history.
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| Restaurant |
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| Restaurant |
With help from a large team of specialists and advisers, the new plan is based on the restoration of the original building contour, whereby the necessary installations are completely hidden by a new lifted roof. Math architects are responsible for the architectural part and structural renovation and new installations and acoustic facilities are carefully inserted within the monumental shell. In contrast to the existing classical environment, new interventions and finishes by i29 in the interior are clearly recognizable as such, bringing the building to the present again.
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| Teekenzaal |
The entrance area includes a restaurant and reception - both modern interpretations of style rooms from the 18th century using original colours and wall coverings produced with contemporary techniques. An image of a typical Dutch sky translates into a tactile wall covering for the restaurant, while an old etching from the original Teekenzaal greets one on the textile walls in the reception.
Custom-designed textiles match material and colours within the design, whilst a light installation connects the two rooms to create a grand entrance as a modern "chandelier" from the ceiling. Mirror information screens with interactive LED signing behind large mirror walls dot program information throughout the building.
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| Concert Hall |
The Concert Hall, famous for acoustic concerts, is finished in original colour schemes with a regained classical appearance. Large steel chandeliers and acoustic wall cabinets are complemented by flexible wall units that can be opened or closed for sound absorption or reflection, and now make both acoustic and electronic music possible. They also provide for technical, light and sound facilities. Both a classical concert and a house party are now possible, as the building must ultimately be a vibrant culture house for both the young and the old.
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| Zuilenzaal |
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| Husly lounge |
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| Husly lounge |
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| Koepelzaal |
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| Koepelzaal |
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| Shaffyzaal |
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| Shaffyzaal |
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| Shaffyzaal |
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| Treppenhuis |
Likewise, each of the other spaces - the Zuilenzaal, Shaffyzaal, Teekenzaal, Koepelzaal – sport their own unique character within the building. From raw, almost invisible, with the integration of all necessary technology, lighting and installations to intense and high-contrast colours on acoustic walls; from "sheets of paper" hanging from the ceiling for acoustics and a graphic floor pattern to restoring the original wooden beam construction... history is still overwhelmingly present.
Fact File:
Client: Amerborgh / Amerpodia
Objective: Cultuurhuis Felix Meritis Amsterdam
Architectural design: Math Architecten
Interior design: i29 interior architects
Interior builder: Stooff
Restoration: Verlaan & Bouwstra
Textile design: i29 & Buro Belen
Size: 4500 sq. m.
Location: Amsterdam
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