The House of KLM marks the entrance of the new lounge: a two-storey high, Dutch house with stunning views over the runway. It contains a marble welcome desk that, together with four light globe pendants and light sculpture in the shape of the crown, which form a giant abstraction of the KLM logo. The house is reached by two escalators, surrounded by walls made of a spectacular collection of more than 5,000 famous KLM Delft blue houses (collectables). concrete designed the two-storey high lounge divided into 5 different areas, inspired by the Dutch landscape.
All the spaces are connected by a sunset light wall sky: a 110 metres long LED back-wall mimicking the colours of the ever-changing sky during one day. The five different areas all cater to different customer wishes and needs: Polder – lounge area, to work and relax. A spacious seating area based on a typical Dutch landscape with straight lines kept in natural colours of polder green. Large seating islands, polder benches with integrated real green. A gigantic light wall forms the back wall of the Polder, simulating the ever-changing Dutch sky.
Dutch Mountain - to be inspired and entertained; co-working area, TV room, DJ booth which exhibits a journey through Dutch design. A giant wooden, liveable staircase which connects the Polder on the first with the Sky on the second. City – the dynamic heart to eat and drink with a coffee bar, kitchens with live cooking, a Heineken Bar plus a Dutch art exhibit - every niche is represented by a Dutch museum. Sea - to refresh and recharge with (paid) sleep cabins, showers and sensory reality cabins. The Sea is the most remote, relaxed and quiet part of the lounge.
The floor consists of a custom made carpet, celebrating the Dutch sea in all shades of blue. Sky - for fine dining and drinking, including a high-end paid restaurant and bar 'Blue', where customers can enjoy a signature menu composed by Joris Bijdendijk of RIJKS®, Rijksmuseum's Michelin star awarded restaurant. Dutch culture, design, humour and traditions play a lead role and can be found in little details throughout the lounge; a Dutch Mountain, decorative sheep made from KLM uniforms, a disco-ball, dj-booth, a large outdoor terrace, vintage-style suitcases as a note to the airlines heritage, display cabinets along the window showcasing vintage KLM items from the archives, curiosities and Dutch designers all find their place.
Credits: - concrete - Zana Josipovic - Hemlock + Gielissen - specialist joinery - concrete - Lisa Hassanzadeh - concrete - Sofie Ruytenberg - concrete - Rob Wagemans - concrete - Pim Houben - concrete - Natalia Kozyra - Wouter van der Sar - photography - Benthem Crouwel NACO Architects - architect building - Wilkins Studio - photography - Deerns - lighting consultant - Big Brands - loose furniture supplier - concrete - Cathelijne Vreugdenhil - concrete - Erik van Dillen - Ballast Nedam - contractor