De L’Europe Amsterdam ‘t Huys

D/DOCK, in collaboration with some of the Netherlands’ top creatives, proudly announces the launch of ‘t Huys, an innovative hospitality concept housed within the historic De L’Europe Amsterdam. Blending style and culture into 14 unique suites individually co-designed with the modern leaders of Dutch culture, guests are now welcome to indulge in an immersive experiential journey in art, film, design, and fashion.

Transcending traditional hospitality, the suites transform throughout the day to accommodate diverse activities, including business engagements, performances, and philanthropic events, simultaneously acting as hubs for brand storytelling and cultural celebrations.

At the heart of ‘t Huys lies innovation. By repurposing a 125-year-old landmark into a modern cultural hub, and inspired by Parisian salons, the project redefines the role of traditional hotels, offering multifunctional spaces that promote osmosis and serendipitous encounters, while serving as an incubator for creative talents from diverse backgrounds.

As ‘t Huys opens its doors, it marks a new era in hospitality, one where creativity, culture, and community converge and are reinforced by the 5-star luxury experience of De L’Europe Amsterdam. D/DOCK developed the overall concept of ‘t Huys, and simultaneously co-designed and built 9 of the 14 suites. Some highlights are:

Sisters Janssen Suite
Sensuous and energetic, Suite 252, co-designed with artist duo Tisja and Ziarah Janssen, known as Sisters Janssen, celebrates women and diversity.

Aiming to inspire and connect through art, the suite is a space for self-expression, promoting inclusivity in the creative industry. Entering the eclectic world of Sisters Janssen, guests are invited through The Mirror of the Soul, a radiant purple tunnel seen as a visual representation of the inner world, where a variety of handcrafted artworks invite guests to explore and embrace their own identities and expressions. But the beating heart of the suite is the hybrid living and bedroom, the Playground of Expressions, designed with a combination of pulsating red tones, voluptuous shapes, and soft textures from floor to ceiling, evoking the safety and comfort of the womb.

RVDK Suite
Crafted to serve as the backdrop to Ronald van der Kemp’s work, the force behind the world’s first sustainable couture label, Suite 148 elegantly plays with different shades of white.

Notable features include a custom-designed sculptural bed that can also serve as a pedestal and container for Ronald’s design pieces during special occasions. Moreover, guests can contemplate the artwork designed by RVDK above the bed, created using leftover materials from fashion.

A second room functions as Ronald’s own creative nest and features a collage wall showcasing RVDK’s haute couture portfolio through photographs and sketches. The iconic atelier table was crafted as an upcycled piece, featuring a plain white top resting on four second-hand elements, including two vintage cabinets, a leg from an antique table, and a mirrored pillar.

D/DOCK Suite
The suite is composed of two specular areas connected by two passages. The entrance corridor, being an ode to love, hosts artworks celebrating the feminine and masculine: a wall titled Viva la Vulva showcases ceramic abstract shapes representing female genitals, and across, a cabinet transformed into a cave wall by scratching the paint off, tells stories about primordial hospitality rituals. A downward-facing deforming mirror in the opposite corridor confronts visitors with distorted reflections.

The two main rooms represent the yin and yang, opposite but interconnected. In one room, a central, sturdy block can act as a table for private dinners, a workspace, a surface for practicing body treatments, or for staging a performance. In the second room, the soft altar can transform into a bed for the night, or serve as a space for reading, meditating, or simply relaxing, according to the guest’s desire and curiosity.

Van Gogh Museum Suite
The suite was carefully crafted to deliver a unique experience linked to the artist’s mind and work. Reproductions of curated works and studies, letters and handwritten quotes invite guests to dive into an intimate journey through Van Gogh’s thoughts and view of the world. The Gallery, a space for small gatherings, hosts the white gloves Museum Edition hanging ritual, where a pre-selected piece by the guest is brought to the suite, and revealed at the Gallery wall.

The bedroom is inspired by the vibrant landscapes painted by Van Gogh. Ochre organic shapes and the meditative soundscapes by the talented Remko Kühne provide a relaxing atmosphere, while Vincent’s brush strokes are creatively projected onto the ceiling, immersing the guest in a full-spectrum experience.

Design: D/DOCK
Photography: James Stokes