In the eastern docklands of Amsterdam, a former paint factory has been quietly transformed into a creative hub. Originally built in 1958 and now
designated as a municipal monument, the building sits within the redeveloped Cruquius district, a part of the city where industrial heritage meets
contemporary reinvention. Today, it houses the interior architecture studio of Heinzel De Vries, alongside a barista supplies brand and other creative
enterprises.

The design draws directly from the building’s industrial past. Heinzel De Vries delved into historical archives to recover original details, including the grey-painted wainscoting that once lined the factory walls, now reinterpreted as a tactile memory of the space’s former life. The colour palette is equally referential: deep, saturated tones with accents of red, blue and grey echo the tilitarian aesthetic of mid-century production spaces.

Architecturally, the interior has been completely reconfigured. Walls were positioned to create a new spatial rhythm, with generous use of glass to
preserve the building’s industrial character and allow light to permeate. Custom elements abound: poured concrete floors, steel-framed doors and a
minimalist material language that balances rawness with precision.

The furnishings nod to the 1950s, with iconic pieces by Eames and Prouvé for Vitra. A terrazzo kitchen anchors the space in quiet simplicity. Though
designed as a working environment, the studio exudes warmth and domesticity: a deliberate choice by Heinzel De Vries to foster a sense of calm
and belonging within the creative process. The result is a layered interior that honours its origins while offering a contemporary, tactile experience. A place where history, design and daily life converge.

Interior architecture by Heinzel De Vries
Photography: Chantal Arnts
Words: Tanne Donjacour Gielen