INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

An Oasis in the Sky 

Perched on the 24th floor of the Nhow Hotel in Amsterdam, Selva Restaurant serves up Latin American cuisine with a tropical twist. The restaurant‘s design complements this culinary offering, blending organic shapes, natural materials, and vibrant colors to create a lush, exotic experience. 

Starting point 

The initial space felt cold and industrial, enclosed by a striking floor-to-ceiling glass facade 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. 

 Design Proposal 

Set against a predominantly green backdrop, featuring organic-inspired flooring and abundant vegetation, we incorporated textured wooden elements with undulating shapes. 

These elements function as benches and dividers, evoking a dense forest sensation while adding warmth to the space. The curvilinear pieces help zone the restaurant, creating winding and inviting paths that encourage exploration and soften the space’s initial harshness. 

Upon entering the restaurant beneath a colourful, plant-filled ceiling, guests are greeted by a suspended, reflective element resembling a tropical river. This serpentine form embraces clusters of sparkling glass lamps and diverse vegetation, adding layers and depth to the jungle-like atmosphere. 

Reflective finishes in metal, glass, and ceramics, reminiscent of water, play a crucial role in creating the tropical rainforest ambiance, complementing the reflections from the building’s glass facade. Strategic lighting highlights the contrast between warm and cool elements. 

Vibrant, warm colours inspired by tropical fruits, birds, and flowers, often depicted in Latin American art, enliven the space through furniture and benches. The bar’s undulating front, covered in colourful tiles reminiscent of traditional Latin American textiles, is another central colour element. 

This grand bar extends throughout the restaurant, from the entrance to the private dining area, energizing the entire space with its lively activity, featuring a drinks area and an open kitchen visible from the dining room. 

The floor-to-ceiling glass facade is partially covered with wicker, rope, and wood panels, filtering sunlight like leaves or branches. 

These filters create cozy shadows and add rhythm and warmth to the building’s elegant enclosure. 

In summary, Selva Restaurant surprises guests by immersing them in a natural, colourful, and lush 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. Our philosophy centres around the belief that spatial design should tell compelling stories and inspire people, always grounded in a solid conceptual approach. 

Our portfolio includes collaborations with some of the world’s most prestigious chefs, including Michelin-star restaurants, solidifying our expertise in the industry. Our work has garnered global recognition, with features in hundreds of publications worldwide. We are proud recipients of over 70 international design awards, including esteemed accolades like the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, FRAME Awards or BOY Awards, all known for honouring innovative and conceptual design. 

Beyond project recognition, our studio has also been honoured for our trajectory and methodology. We have been awarded Best Interior Design Firm (Architizer A+Awards), Interiors Practice of the Year (WIN Awards), and Firm of the Year (The American Architecture Prize). In addition, FRAME magazine has recognized us as one of the 20 most influential designers in the world. 

 EL EQUIPO CREATIVO 

Partners: Oliver Franz Schmidt, Natali Canas del Pozo, Lucas Echeveste Lacy 

Project leaders: Marcos Merino, Daniel Trujillo 

Project team: Ricard Fabregat, Rafaela Aranzaens, Michele Soares, Yesica Pena, Maria di Bello 

Lighting Design: MMas lighting 

Construction: Martinez & Otero 

Photography: Adria Goula