Opening its doors this past June, Amsterdam's Volkshotel redefines the city's urban resort concept. The hotel transforms a building rich in history and home to one of the Netherlands’ biggest newspapers, De Volkskrant that operated from there for 42 years.
After the publication's move, this structure was transformed by Amsterdam's Urban Resort Foundation into workspaces for hundreds of creatives. Though this concept did not last. 85 workspaces still exist within the Volkshotel and are located in its back wing.
The multipurpose hotel was realized by Dutch designer Bas van Tol who worked with fellow creatives to design nine special rooms that are unlike any other. From the industrial to the whimsical, the rooms range from photography dark rooms to minimalist spaces that feature floor-level beds.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Urban Resort Concept
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating multipurpose spaces that combine work and leisure for urban professionals.
- Industrial Design
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating industrial aesthetics into hotel designs to attract a niche market of hip and trend-conscious travelers.
- Whimsical Room Designs
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Offering unique and unconventional room designs that provide memorable and Instagrammable experiences for guests.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Hospitality
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transforming traditional hotel spaces into dynamic and multifunctional environments that cater to the changing needs of modern travelers.
- Creative Workspaces
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Repurposing underutilized buildings into collaborative workspaces that foster creativity and entrepreneurship.
- Photography Studios
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating specialized photography studios within hotel premises to cater to the needs of professional photographers and offer unique rental spaces.
