Design Brief:

VIA Hostels, a British (London) chain of budget hostels. The first foreign location is in Amsterdam. For this purpose, the empty office building Spinhxstate has been renovated. The client wanted an 'urban' interior. The bar/restaurant is called ‘The Dude’ named after the main character of The Big Lebowski, a cult movie from the nineties.

Design challenges:

The main challenge was to transform the dusty office character of the building to a warm comfortable hostel where young people feel at home and can enjoy a dynamic athmosphere. The building was built in the nineties in a cold industrial environment. To realise a clear connection between different open areas on the ground floor Sheryl Leysner used graphic elements.

Design results:

Nineties inspired. The characteristic slanted facade of the building gave inspiration for the oblique lines used everywhere. Sub-themes are 'office' - a reference to the previous 'life' of the building, ‘hiphop music & breakdance , video games and skate’. Lamps made of old phones and outdated office equipment, BMX bikes and skateboards draw the attention, all from Sheryl Leysner ‘s own upcycle brand www.ruwebolster.nu.