Amsterdam | Volkshotel

 Last July, I talked to you about Volkshotel and it is now time to give you some more insights!

We spent there some great days during while in Amsterdam with the fellow Design Bloggers United: the rooms were essential, with an interesting industrial touch; I loved the iconic newspaper glasswall, a homage to the creative and editorial tradition of the building.

But it was the hall I particularly enjoyed during our stay. Designed as an open, welcoming space divided according to different functions, it hosts the reception and several sitting areas where you can chill out while waiting for friends to get ready, work or simply hang out if you are a local.

 

The vintage masculine style was very appealing and not cold at all, thanks to the amazing green walls of plants that provided both live and privacy from the street. 

I loved the raw materials combined with warm tones like dark red, rusty brown and ochre that complemented the grey and metal structures. It is undoubtedly a great place both for tourists and locals ( the bar at night was literally full up with party lovers from the surroundings), but especially my fellow  Urban Jungle Bloggers would love it!

Black holiday cottage in Germany

If I had to choose my ideal holiday home, surely it would resemble this cottage designed by German firm Format Elf Architekten. The black-stained building is part of the Hofgut resort, an estate that offers luxury accommodation, dining and spa close to the Bavarian forests. The archetypal structure of the cottage resembles the traditional barns and fit perfectly in the landscape. On the other side, the indoor is designed baring in mind all the comfort of contemporary living: a monochrome interior merge with natural wood surface to create a cozy atmosphere, perfect to evoke indulgence and slow life.

The architecture office also designed the outdoor area applying the same minimal approach they used for the interiors: a natural timber deck define the area reserved to the guests and lead to the outdoor dining space. Around, the informal natural planting merges with the surrounding landscape in a harmonious dialogue. The industrial-like elements of the dining furniture and the small concrete box grant a perfect contemporary look.

Via Format Elf Architekten

VOLKSHOTEL | New generation hotel

In the last years, we have seen a new hotel typology rising based on the idea that hotels cannot just be simple sleeping spots but need to be a real experience for its guests: we want more from the place where we spend our holidays, we want to gather and enjoy. We want our hotel to be a creative hub, well designed and an ideal place to meet new, interesting people and locals.

Volkshotel in on Wibautstraat, Amsterdam is a perfect example of it. It is located in the building that used to be the home of one of the biggest, most progressive Dutch newspapers and later, transformed into one of the largest creative workspaces in Holland by the Foundation Urban Resort.

Today, it is a multi-purpose space that includes the hotel and café, bar, club, restaurant and creative workspaces where everybody, from single mum to dandy artists can gather together.  

Dutch interior designer Bas van Tol of Studio Müller Van Tol is behind most of the renovation work: he maintained the same character of the original building - a strong, industrial style that can connect to the Dutch Capital. Nine of the 172 rooms have been designed by different creative people, with the White Bike Room being my favourite for its graphic monochrome look (of course!). Also, Bas van Tol's interior design work represent a homage to the creative and editorial tradition of the building as reflected by the use of newspaper graphics and illustration into the detailing. 

  

Volkshotel opened its doors earlier in June with an amazing party: the place looks very exciting and I cannot wait for October to come. In fact, together with my friends from the Bloggerstour, I am going to stay here during our next trip to Amsterdam!If you are a last minute traveller like myself and you are thinking to head to Holland, Volkshotel is the perfect spot also because during the month of July, all double rooms are fixed at €69 per night.

Volkshotel, Wibautstraat 150  Amsterdam.

All images © Volkshotel.

A mini apartment to rent in Milan

Concoct Residence is a project coordinated by Milan-based humusstudio that brings together five young design firms to renovate of an old building in the well known via Paolo Sarpi. Humus Studio, 02Arch, Tomo Architects, Giovanni Cagnato, Studio April shares the same great care to details yet developing spaces characterised by a unique approach and atmosphere in the interior design of the residential spaces. 

Suite Concoct by TOMOarchitects is my favourite. In the suite, the design of the interior tries to re-create all the traditional functions of an apartment and its fragmentation, taking an opposite approach to the general mainstream of lofts-like spaces. Infact, TOMOarchitects's project create an open space that is actually perceived as a traditional mini-apartment thanks to the vertical wooden structure that creates the entrance corridor. The separation between the wooden bars grants a sense of privacy and lightness at the same time.

 

Behind the wooden frame are the mini-kitchen area and the bedroom, defined by the addition of two plywood panels painted in black. A great inspiring example for today's urban reduced apartments.

To see another example of mini-apartment in Italy, check this previous post here.

ICELAND | Reykjavik Kex Hostel

As you may have seen in the previous posts dedicated to our trip to Iceland, we had an amazing time. This is the last post and it's entirely dedicated to one of Reykjavik coolest place: Kex Hostel.  Housed in an old factory close to the sea, the place has a unique vintage industrial atmosphere. Furnished with pieces and objects coming from many places, it's the perfect spot where to have breakfast or brunch (food is delicious and, of course, you can stay overnight as well). The place, a former biscuit factory (kex is the word for biscuit in Iceland) is a real success and has fast grown into a favourite  meeting point for international travellers and locals that come here after work. 

If you go to Reykjavik, you cannot miss this place.

PLACES | A-House

The A-House is a former industrial building dating from 1960, converted in 2010 into a multi-functional space by Copenhagen based studio Holgaard Architects. Part of the space was transformed into apartments with a stunning raw industrial atmosphere. The A-house has also been used as set location by Danish firm HAY for some of their products, like the Sara table and bench and the Loop Stand Hall and the Dee dining chair.

 

 

Via Holgaard Architects