I was tasked with designing a Gentlemen's club in Rotterdam "Societeit Eendragt maakt Magt" which is a long-standing institution that has been in existence for hundreds of years and was founded in 1854.

 

The club is established in a residential property located at Kralingse Plaslaan 38 in Rotterdam and is considered to be among the top examples of the "Nieuwe Bouwen architectural movement". This movement was a progressive architectural style prevalent in the 1920s and 1930s and was the Dutch representative of the Modern Movement in Architecture.

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This establishment is a closed business environment for former students, and the building itself is a unique structure that was designed in 1920 by renowned architects Brinkman & Van der Vlugt. My specific task was to design the public space/bar on the ground floor of the building, which was a true challenge given the national heritage status of the building and the strict rules of the organization of the monumental heritage that had to be strictly followed.

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One of the main challenges I faced was interpreting these rules while still maintaining my expressive style, which was quite different from the squarish movement of that time. Additionally, I had to study the colors and materials that were used in 1920, and many of these were not visible in the existing black-and-white photographs. However, by studying documents from specialists, I was able to discover the colors and materials that were used, such as the bright Sunflower Yellow linoleum flooring and avocado green walls.

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As a passionate interior architect, I could talk for hours about the design stories behind this project. Despite the challenges, I managed to bring the past to life and create a stunning space that honors the history and heritage of the building. As a designer, I think of myself as a wizard, and this project allowed me to showcase my skills and creativity. Please see the attached renderings and images of the project.

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