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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Zoku Amsterdam in the Netherlands by concreteOctober 31st, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: concrete The first Zoku is now open for business in the heart of Amsterdam. The new workmeetsplay hotel concept has been created for the global nomad. Zoku creates a new category – a homeoffice hybrid, also suitable for long stays, with the services of a hotel and the social buzz of a thriving neighbourhood.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers
 Image Courtesy © ewout huibers Background In 2010 concrete was approached by the founders, Hans Meyer and Marc Jongerius, to develop a new type of hotel focused on global nomads, the new generation of creative business travellers who like to mix work & play within a living environment. concrete immediately started thinking about a smart solution for the rooms, in which global nomads can stay longer, work longer, live longer and play longer.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers When the design process started, there was no physical building yet. And to be sure Zoku lofts could be implemented in almost every empty office building, the first principle was that the size should as much as possible follow the standard grid size of existing structures, namely a grid of 1.8 metres. This means the Zoku lofts provide a good solution to the growing number of unoccupied buildings.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers Zoku Amsterdam, the first to open, is situated in the ‘Metropool building’ at the Weesperstraat, a former office building by architect Arthur Staal. When you come from the city on your bike, like a typical Amsterdam resident, and leave the Rijksmuseum and skinny bridge behind you, you see a glimpse of a modernistic building with a seemingly floating top floor. Arthur Staal, also known for the Shell tower in the north of Amsterdam, always added something special to his buildings, known as ‘the crown’.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers On this crown concrete designed a traditional Dutch greenhouse, one of its kind in Amsterdam, which is connected to the existing structure. The guests’ first meeting with Zoku will be on top of the Metropool building, walking through a green oasis but still connected to the bustling city thanks to the amazing views. All public functions are allocated in the crown on the top floor. As soon as the guests enter the living room on the top floor and leave the city behind, this is when they become a Zoku member, and are able to meet other nomads, eat, play, work, read, and do all the stuff they would do at home. After meeting a Zoku sidekick, who will help them find their way in the temporary home, the full Zoku experience can begin. Zoku Amsterdam is the first of many more to come. New locations are currently being explored in, for example, Paris.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers Design story / narrative Walk through Entrance lobby on ground floor When you approach the building you see a glimpse of large Zoku letters and the Zoku manifesto on the wall in a double height entrance lobby on the far right of the building. While you are waiting to go up, you can already get acquainted with the city via posters revealing the current cultural activities. The lift then brings you to the communal spaces of Zoku allocated in the crown of the building on the 6th floor, where you can check in.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers Greenhouse on 6th floor This is the only architectural element added to the monumental building. When designing the greenhouse concrete looked at building structures of traditional Dutch greenhouses as they are found in the west of the Netherlands. The structure is as simple and light-weight as possible, to make it feel like a green oasis; like being outside but with the convenience of an inside space. The structure of the greenhouse carefully follows the floating zigzag façade of the 6th floor from where the hexagonal crown shape – a returning feature in the building – emerges.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers Roof terrace on 6th floor  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers The zoku loft  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers The living area consists of a comfortable two-seater sofa that allows guests to relax, receive company, read a book or watch TV. The so-called ‘Rest’ sofa by the stylish and top-quality Danish furniture brand Muuto was specifically adapted for Zoku. A thick, soft carpet has been placed on the bamboo floor in front of the sofa. The dining and working table is positioned close to the sofa. It is ideal for inviting guests for work appointments, enjoying a (self-made) meal or an evening of fun and games. The rectangular solid bamboo table top is combined with four ‘Fibre Chairs’ by Muuto. The lamp above the table by the same brand is called ‘Fluid’.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers The kitchen is located behind the table. Its clever design offers all the necessary comforts with equipment by Siemens, including an induction cooker, sink, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave and coffee machine. The work top and back wall of the kitchen consist of quartz composite, while the cabinets and doors are made of multiplex with a smooth white epoxy finish. The material typifies the general style of the Zoku Loft, and is also used for other fixed furniture elements such as the bed. The king-size bed can be reached via the iconic retractable stairs. Various functions have been placed below the bed, such as a retractable clothing cabinet, a TV and a work unit. The sleeping area, the most private part of the loft, can be screened off further by closing the semi-transparent wooden folding door. Contrary to standard hotel rooms, this makes the Zoku Loft ideal for receiving guests for either business appointments or casual get-togethers.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers The drop-off unit, located in an alcove below the bed, offers a variety of office equipment, and is the perfect spot for sending a quick email or storing a laptop. The wall of the Zoku Loft features a black steel U-shaped profile, which not only supports the retractable stairs, but can also be used to place framed art or photos. Zoku allows guests to choose these pieces in accordance with their own tastes to provide the loft with a more personal character. The opposite wall features a steel strip, which can be used as a memo magnet. The high windows (which let lots of daylight enter the Zoku Loft) are covered with elegant, white voile curtains that filter the bright sunlight, as well as black-out curtains that can be closed before bedtime. The bathroom is situated next to the entrance. An oak medicine cabinet has been placed above the ceramic sink, and a hanging toilet is located opposite. The very spacious shower at the back of the bathroom can be closed off from the sink and toilet area with a sandblasted glass door. The back wall of the shower is completely covered with a mirror to optically double the size of the space. concrete designed two types of Zoku Lofts for Zoku: a wide and a deep version. Except for the layout, the two types are fully identical featuring the smart use of standardisation and interior modules. For example the bathrooms as well as the kitchens are identical for both versions.  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers  Image Courtesy © ewout huibers With the two types of lofts Zoku can optimally link units in newly built buildings, as well as offering more flexibility for building the lofts into existing buildings, as is the case for Zoku Amsterdam on the Weesperstraat in Amsterdam. The longer you stay, the more you get out of it. Zoku Lofts can be rented for just one night, and are also ideal for those seeking a temporary living and working space from 5 nights up to several months, which makes it financially and culturally beneficial to guests who wish to extend their stay at Zoku. Zoku Loft dimensions
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Tags: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Category: Hotel |
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