El Equipo Creativo - Selva Restaurant - Amsterdam - Netherlands

2024-10-01

An Oasis in the Sky

EL EQUIPO CREATIVO has completed the interior design of Selva Restaurant in Amsterdam. Located on the 24th floor of the Nhow Hotel, Selva Restaurant offers Latin American cuisine with a tropical twist. The restaurant’s design blends organic shapes, natural materials, and vibrant colors to create a lush and exotic experience. Additionally, sharing the same floor, but in separate spaces, the Sonora Cocktail Bar complements the experience with bold tropical cocktails (see below for Sonora Cocktail Bar press kit link).

Starting point

The initial space felt cold and industrial, enclosed by a striking floor-to-ceiling glass façade designed by the architectural team OMA, led by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. It boasted spectacular views of Amsterdam’s outskirts, filled with highways and new constructions, making the view of the city the main focus. One of the primary challenges was transforming this space into a warm, jungle-like environment that contrasted with the city’s hardness.

A forestial design proposal

Set against a green backdrop, with organic-inspired flooring and abundant vegetation, the firm incorporated textured wooden elements with flowing shapes that serve as benches and dividers. These elements evoke a forest-like atmosphere, adding warmth and creating inviting paths that soften the space.

Upon entering beneath a vibrant, plant-filled ceiling, guests are greeted by a suspended, reflective element resembling a tropical river, surrounded by sparkling glass lamps and lush vegetation. Reflective finishes in metal, glass, and ceramics enhance the rainforest ambiance, complemented by the building’s glass façade.

Vibrant colours, inspired by tropical fruits and birds, add energy through furniture and the bar’s undulating front, covered in colourful tiles reminiscent of Latin American textiles. The grand bar extends throughout the space, energizing the room with its lively activity, drinks area, and open kitchen.

The floor-to-ceiling glass façade is partially covered with wicker, rope, and wood panels, filtering sunlight like leaves and creating cozy shadows. Selva Restaurant immerses guests in a lush, vibrant environment with stunning views of Amsterdam.

About EL EQUIPO CREATIVO

Founded in 2011 by architects Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas del Pozo, and Lucas Echeveste Lacy, EL EQUIPO CREATIVO is a renowned Barcelona-based interior architecture and design studio specializing in the design of hospitality, gastronomy, and brand spaces. The firm's philosophy centres around the belief that spatial design should tell compelling stories and inspire people, always grounded in a solid conceptual approach.

EL EQUIPO CREATIVO's portfolio includes collaborations with some of the world's most prestigious chefs, including Michelin-star restaurants, solidifying their expertise in the industry. Their work has garnered global recognition and has been featured in hundreds of publications worldwide. The firm is the proud recipient of over 70 international design awards, including esteemed accolades like the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, FRAME Awards, and BOY Awards, all known for honouring innovative and conceptual design.

Photo credit: Adrià Goula