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The new Inntel hotel in Zaandam, makes an impact in the revamped town centre
Opening its doors from the 18th March, the (real-life) Inntel hotel in Zaandam is already making an impression as the centrepiece of the Zaandam town centre regeneration. Direct inspiration is taken from the iconic green wooden houses of the Zaan region by the hotel's designer Wilfried van Winden of WAM architecten, who chose to stack various examples of these houses to create a singular lively building.
Providing 160 guest rooms, a swimming pool, wellness centre, turkish baths and a restaurant-bar, the design is conceived both figuratively and literally as a 'home from home' with almost 70 individual houses stacked within the main body of the structure reaching almost 40 m and 11 floors high.
"It is a design that could be realised only in Zaandam," said a spokesperson for the architect, "...but at the same time
transcends and reinvigorates local tradition. It was, moreover, specifically tailored to this
site. The Blue House, inspired by the work Claude Monet painted at Zaandam in 1871,
is the ultimate attention-grabber."
"...architecture naturally makes a direct appeal to the
emotions as well," adds Van Winden. "An acquaintance recently commented, 'When I
drive into Zaandam and see the building standing there a smile inevitably spreads across
my face.' You could hardly ask for a more wonderful compliment."
The town centre and station area of Zaandam, in North Holland, are currently being radically restructured. The ‘Inverdan’ urban redevelopment scheme was devised by Soeters Van Eldonk architecten, a plan that reinstates the historical street layout, reopens a canal and restores an atmosphere of congeniality to Zaandam’s heart. Completion of the Inntel is due in Autumn 2010.
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