Keizersgracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Concrete Architectural Associates
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
With a vision to both the future and past, the pragmatic and irreverent Dutch have created another iconic haven in one of Amsterdam's many canal houses. In typical
Droog style, the
hotel bears the name, "Canal House."
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Set upon the Keizersgracht or "Emperor's Canal," Canal House looks out upon one of the most painfully cool and effortlessly beautiful areas of this ringed city. Locals hurry by on rickety old bikes, mobile in one hand, groceries under the arm, and often with a passenger riding sidesaddle on the crossbar.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Inside the hotel's 17th-century exterior, the styling is moody and modern, with a touch of quirk. 23 rooms range in class from "Good, Better, and Great" to "Exceptional" or "Best." All of them are clad in black and deep violet, with
WiFi, leather headboards, velvet curtains, and bath products by Green & Spring.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Head down to the bar for a few cocktails before slipping into the restaurant for dinner. Modern Dutch dining is a bit of an unsung hero. A history of voyages around the world give the cuisine an eclectic range, while a plethora of local fish, livestock, and farming make the freshest of ingredients easy to come by.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
For those looking for a little more stimuli before bedding down in your plush accommodations, Amsterdam nights won't disappoint. Cocktail culture is rich here, as is the opportunity to catch a live act taking advantage of the cavernous acoustics available only at Paradiso, a reclaimed 19th-century church.
Description from kiwicollection.com
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
The concept of the canalhouse has been to build a luxury boutique hotel which offers all the service you expect from a five star plus hotel combined with the welcoming and warm feeling you get from a home.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
The aim was to create a true home away from home, in a house which you could use nearly as if it would be your own. Next to the individual rooms the guests have the opportunity to stay in the living room, the parlor room with a house bar, the garden and even in the kitchen according to their needs and mood.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
The canalhouse is situated in an old canalhouse in the centre of Amsterdam, in which most of the old ornaments, floor finishes and chimneys still exist. In order to underline the concept and therefore to keep the character of an old canalhouse in a contemporary way, all ornaments were kept but painted black. This made it possible to remain all the opulence of the old times but nevertheless create a contemporary environment.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
This abstraction of the ornament is also visible in the rooms. The water jar and bowl placed of ancient times has been reinvented. Bathroom and bedroom merge in to one united experience by placing the bathtub and the double vanity in the bedroom. ‘Bedzone’ and ‘bathzone’ are only separated by a full height mirror. The toilet cubicle is located in the backwall of the room and is accessible from the ‘bathzone’ to guarantee privacy.
Description from the Architects:
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Design Concept:
The design of the hotel is contemporary, glamorous and comfortable. The aim was to centre the hotel in 21st Century Amsterdam, but recalling the influences of Dutch art and history. We have used the light and dark palette of traditional Dutch paintings, the silks and velvets of earlier Dutch traders and, in many bedrooms, the modern version of the traditional porcelain washbowl and washstand. All the surviving original features such as timber beams and ornate ceilings and fireplaces have been retained and restored.
We also wanted to reflect the building’s more recent history as a home and hotel. Many of the pictures and objets from this previous life can now be found along the corridors and landings – some of which have called Canal House home for many decades if not longer still. We wanted the hotel to feel as much as possible as a 21st Century Canal House home, but at the same time linked to its past.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Good Rooms:
Good Rooms have a king size bed (or 2 twins on request) and views onto the garden or an internal lightwell. Our smallest rooms come with full amenities – LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, full size Green & Spring bath and body products and a generous mini bar full of locally sourced treats. Our Good Rooms have either a walk-in shower or a bathtub with shower overhead. All have unique artwork and trademark Canal House decor with a leather headboard, silk wallpaper and plush velvet curtains.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Better Rooms:
Better Rooms have a king size bed (or 2 twins on request) and look onto an internal lightwell ensuring total privacy. With open plan bathtubs with shower overhead, Better rooms are given a sense of space whilst remaining warm and inviting with occasional seating and textural elements – a leather headboard, velvet curtains, silk wallpaper and unique artwork throughout. Full amenities are on offer with an LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, Green & Spring bath and body products and a generous mini bar full of locally sourced treats, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Great Rooms:
Great Rooms are our larger rooms with a king size bed and views extending onto the canal or garden. Many with period features and all with unique layouts, no two Great Rooms are alike. Bedrooms are given further individuality with unique artwork and bathing is made pleasurable with double sinks, bathtubs with showers and full size Green & Spring bath and body products. All Canal House amenities can be found throughout – an LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, and a generous mini bar with locally sourced food and drink.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Exceptional Rooms:
Exceptional Rooms have a king size bed and offer lovely views over the canal or garden. Of a generous size and many with original period features, Exceptional Rooms offer a sense of space and place. Large bathrooms have double sinks, bathtubs, and some, separate showers. Sofas and occasional seating add comfort to the glamorous decor of bespoke ebony stained furniture, silk wallpaper, and heavy velvet curtains. All amenities are present – an LCD screen, Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, Green & Spring bath and body products, and a generous mini bar - ensuring a comfortable and pleasurable stay.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Best Room:
Our Best Room occupies the top floor and offers sweeping views over the Keizersgracht canal. A lounge with sofas, casual seating and a large LCD screen, offers a place to relax or entertain. Bathing is made fun with a bathtub big enough for two and a seamless glass shower adjacent to the sleeping area. A sense of generosity is felt throughout with a dressing table, further seating and an LCD screen in the bedroom, making it another space to gather or slip away. A Bose iPod docking station, Blu-ray player, complimentary WIFI, Green & Spring bath and body products and a complimentary mini bar complete the experience.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Bar:
At the front of the hotel, The Bar overlooks the Keizersgracht canal. Open day and night for coffee, drinks and cocktails, it is a place to relax and read the papers or meet and enjoy the company of friends.
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
Great Room:
Canal House is built within three merchants’ houses and the Great Room links them altogether. It is our main dining room overlooking the Garden with wonderfully high ceilings and ornate monumental features. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, it offers a classic, seasonal, European menu.
Description from the Canal House Hotel:
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| Photo © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| level -1 floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Concrete Architectural Associates |
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level 0 floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Concrete Architectural Associates
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level 1 floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Concrete Architectural Associates
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| level 2 floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Concrete Architectural Associates |
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| level 3 floor plan--drawing © Courtesy of Concrete Architectural Associates |
Project Data
Project name: Canal House Hotel
Location: Keizersgracht 148, 1015 CX Grachtengordel-West, Netherlands
Program: Interior design for a boutique hotel of 23 rooms
Total area: 1,225 m2
Completion Year: 2011
Materials:
- Floor: Massive oak wood, some public spaces white marble tiles, hallways dark grey carpet
- Wall: Silver silk wallpaper, plaster painted black
- Ceiling: Original ornamental ceiling painted white or black
- Main elements furniture: Bespoke massive oak wood furniture stained black
- Lighting: Spots by modular lighting, design fixtures by Flos, vintage fixtures
Visit Canal House Hotel's Website: here
The people
Client: Curious Hotels
Project Team: Rob Wagemans, Lisa Hassanzadeh, Sander Vredeveld, Menno Baas, Sofie Ruytenberg, Erik Van Dillen, Chrissie Phillips
General Contractor: Van Den Hengel
Joinery: Roord Binnenbouw
Lighting and Electrical: Lammerink
Photographs: © Courtesy of Canalhouse Hotel & Concrete Architectural Associates
Note>>Location in this map, It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
