De Bijenkorf is the oldest luxury department store in The Netherlands. Their monumental building in the historic centre of Amsterdam has a little tower on the roof. Nobody knew why it was built; nobody ever used it. De Bijenkorf asked us to turn this unique spot into a room for artists in residence. We created an inspiring experience: a space where poets, painters, writers, filmmakers, choreographers, musicians and theatre makers alike love to work and feel inspired.

We had the original spiralling stairs that lead to the cupola restored. They’re like an invitation to the artists in residence to go further up and discover even more new views.

Two worlds in one space, designed around the stunning view from the tower. Half white canvas canvas for dreams, ideas and thoughts; half functional wooden ‘cabinet’ with everything the artists need to feel comfortable: a pantry, storage, a desk and a bed. Small ladders give access to these different functions/levels. And each level offers a new perspective on the outside world. We played with scale and perception to create an Alice in Wonderland feel.