BACKGROUND INFO
Those living in Haarlem often take a quick train ride to Amsterdam, so have I. from the train you can see a school; wood, furniture and interior design school. In the past when I was fed up with my corporate job I would dream of a different career, to do something creative or become a helicopter pilot. Every time I passed the school building I would think just that. About 18 months ago I visited the school to see their graduation projects. I was surprised! Seriously amazing what they make and think of. You should check it out. July 9, 10 & 11th 2012 the school opens its doors to the public again.
When the LOCAL Hostel project started taking off I wanted to find a way to give starters a platform to show their talents. I contacted the school to see what we could do for each other. That resulted in ‘The Interior Design Competition’!
THE COMPETITION
February 2012 the interior design competition started. 100 students of the HMC Amsterdam school started working on their proposals for the interior of the new Boutique City Hostel LOCAL in Haarlem, The Netherlands. For many of these students it was the first time they worked for a ‘real’ client. It was the first time they could put theory into practice. Some did this very professional, some acted like 18 year olds;)
In February I visited the school so the students could ask me what ever questions they had. Funny thing is; they surprised me with detailed questions about things I had not noticed or even thought about the past 2 years, even though I know every inch of the building by heart.
Mid-February we had a fieldtrip to the LOCAL buildings where the students measured everything and could let their imagination go. The builders were very surprised to see 20 beautiful young girls walking around and mentioned they wouldn’t mind seeing them come back!
Yesterday April 4th 2012, 17 groups presented their final proposals for the hostel. We were very excited to see what they had come up with! A lot of effort was put into it, all the miniature rooms, the drawings…
The hostel was divided into 6 areas and we chose a winner for each area. But of course we couldn’t choose! Every team had something we want to use! In the first group, the grand prize winners, Justin, Martin, Lisa and Iris came up with a design for ‘bedstee’ bunkbeds, we love them! And they had great ideas for three areas. The second group came up with a bicycle room; they put their creativity in the details and for sure you will be seeing this @LOCAL! We also loved the really Dutch ideas that came from the ‘Milou’ and ‘Joyce’ teams!
Now we do not want to spoil all interior design results. You will just have to come see for yourself!
We really enjoyed working with them and hope two students will do an internship @LOCAL at the end of the year to actually realize these ideas!
Do you have great ideas yourself? Are you Dutch or have a connection with Haarlem? Feel free to contact us!
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