Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok

Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, BeamAnne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, GlassAnne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair, FacadeAnne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, TableAnne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - More Images+ 8

  • Architects: Namelok
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  250
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2019
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, Durabella
  • Lead Architects: Wiegert Ambagts, Kaj van Boheemen
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Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Dining room, Table, Windows, Chair, Facade
© Maarten Willemstein

Text description provided by the architects. Rush and reflection are the two contradictory vital elements on which Namelok has based the entire design of the museum cafe in the Anne Frank House. Of course, we were inspired by the place's history: especially the postwar period in which the desire for rapid improvement was in contrast to the pure fellowship. This paradox has not only functioned as our core design concept, but also in facilitating the visitors of the Anne Frank House.

Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Windows
© Maarten Willemstein
Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Windows, Beam
© Maarten Willemstein

Our research showed that visitors of the Anne Frank House experience a sudden transition from history to the present on the one hand, while on the other, they feel the need to reflect on the impact of 'the secret annexe'. The large 9-meter long bar is a multifunctional object in the middle of the cafe, aligned with the row of columns in the middle of the room. In front of the bar, the atmosphere is dynamic – here, rushed visitors have the opportunity to buy some to-go products before they get back into the hustle and bustle of the center of Amsterdam. The backside of the bar is much quieter – visitors can enjoy the view of the Westerkerk, relax, and take a seat on various types of furniture. Lounge seats alternate with dining tables and wall benches to accommodate all visitors.

Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Table
© Maarten Willemstein
Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Image 13 of 13
Plan
Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Kitchen
© Maarten Willemstein

The subdued design fits in the story of the Anne Frank House. However, that does not mean that the design can't be something special. Layers of carefully assembled grey and green terrazzo that connect the different elements make up the design. The meters long stone front of the display bar features a unique casting of dark green terrazzo enriched with grey Dutch river stones. This terrazzo extends into the floor surface, but then changes to an inverted alternative: green marbles in a gray concrete base. The application of a lot of large areas of warm oak and different fabric textures completes the collage of materials. The natural textiles were used in many different ways in the post-war period when scarcity arose. The textures have a warm and domestic feel and subtly communicate this within the design.

Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Windows, Chair
© Maarten Willemstein

In our research into the post-war period of the Jewish history in Amsterdam, we used the photos from the series 'Jews of Amsterdam' by the American photographer Leonard Freed. His photos yielded an enormous amount of documentation and a wealth of stories, which have given the project a broad historical context and deeper meaning. As a result, we realized that the image of the future-looking community, that Freed's photos evoke, contained yet another reality that did not show itself to the outside world: that of the invisible emotional world of still-worn sorrow and the suppressed memories of war, which would only be discussed many years after.

Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Windows, Glass
© Maarten Willemstein

Besides the museum cafe, in 2018, the museum has been thoroughly modified to the design of BiermanHenket. Our design for the museum cafe has been part of this transformation.

Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok - Interior Photography, Chair
© Maarten Willemstein

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Project location

Address:Ámsterdam, The Netherlands

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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Cite: "Anne Frank House Museum Cafe / Namelok" 22 Feb 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/933938/anne-frank-house-museum-cafe-namelok> ISSN 0719-8884

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