The Amsterdam Housing Corporation Stadgenoot asked us to help think about the renewal of The Pavilion, the lunch and event space for employees. The interior of this architectural extension, designed by Steven Holl Architects, was somewhat outdated and Stadgenoot wanted to create a warm homely atmosphere with lots of greenery. The concept & design ‘City Garden,’ conceived by VOID, brought softness, friendliness and tranquility.
For this design, VOID drew on the image of a green oasis in the middle of a busy city, such as Central Park. The former facility had a hard, sleek look and poor acoustics. The Pavilion had to become a place where employees felt at home, but also a space that could easily be converted into a venue for meetings and presentations. Flexibility was of great importance here. Atmosphere, tranquility and improved acoustics were achieved through the use of soft colors, a large curtain, special lighting, a woven rug and partially upholstered chairs. The many greenery, in both color and planting, and the cloud-shaped fixtures turn the space into a small oasis; the City Garden.
InteriorWorks selected furniture that fit within VOID's design and met Stadgenoot's practical requirements. The challenge was in creating a cohesive interior that was at the same time flexible enough to easily transform into an event setup. Tables, chairs and benches had to be easily movable. Therefore, the Scope Chair by Andersen and two large custom tables by Castelijn, easily dismountable and movable with a trolley, were chosen. Custom benches, executed by Immano, are also movable.
Molo Design's Cloud fixtures bring not only softness but also an improvement in acoustics. Bolon's large rug, measuring 15 feet by 5 feet, creates a cohesive whole. Muuto's Cover Chair completes the interior.
InteriorWorks has ensured that the old interior will be reused for other projects. The furniture will be refurbished where needed and given a second home elsewhere. Together with VOID, we looked at sustainable new furniture and materials so that The Pavilion may last for a long time to come.
Photographer: Mike Bink
