ZZDP Architects and Oostendorp furnishing company used original designs by Theodoor Nieuwenhuis as inspiration to develop a new fabric for the wall panels in the Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club in Amsterdam, which was refurbished in 2015.
Housed in a listed building dating from 1916, the Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club has retained many art nouveau features, including textile wall panels designed by Theodoor Nieuwenhuis. As part of an extensive refurbishment, ZZDP Architects chose two original Nieuwenhuis designs from the TextielMuseum collection as the basis for a new fabric. The panels capture the spirit of the interior while adding a contemporary twist. The Koninklijke IGC started out as a gentlemen’s club at the end of the 18th century and is now a modern venue for professionals to relax or talk business.
The original designs were first photographed and scanned. The product developer then traced the pattern by hand. To keep as close to Nieuwenhuis’ designs as possible, the materials and colours of the textiles were based on the originals. A total of 100 metres of fabric was produced.
Theodorus Wilhelmus Nieuwenhuis (1866-1951) was a versatile Dutch artist and designer. Plants and animals were a recurring theme in his work. He is primarily known as a furniture and interior designer.
ZZDP Architects has existed under its current name since 2002. However, its roots go back to 1954, when Piet Zanstra opened his own architecture bureau. ZZDP Architects is best known for the many office buildings it designed in the ’80s and ’90s. More recent projects include De Omval in Amsterdam and the Haagse Zwaan in The Hague.
