ARIE, the new brown café designed by Studio Modijefsky

Located in Amsterdam’s ‘De Pijp’ neighborhood, Arie is the new café designed by Studio Modijefsky, previously on WeVux with Ketelhuis. Arie Op de Hoek takes its name from its position, at the corner of Ferdinand Bolstraat and Quillijnstraat (in fact op de hoek means at the corner). The building dates back to 1876 and since the Second World War, it has housed cafes or bars that have welcomed several generations of amsterdammers. For its latest incarnation as Arie, Studio Modijefsky was asked to design a modern “brown café”. These legendary Amsterdam bars were originally created by people living on the ground floor of buildings who opened up their homes to serve food and drinks in order to supplement their low incomes. They got their name, brown café, from the incessant cigar and cigarette smoke that discolored the walls, a status to which Arie pays tribute with stained wooden paneling. Once again, Studio Modijefsky has created not only the interiors but also the name and the brand identity, that all blend seamlessly into each other.

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To recreate that atmosphere, Studio Modijefsky concentrated on the popular materials of the time: copper, terrazzo, tiles, fabrics, and wood. Darkened beech is used throughout the interiors, creating a strong contrast with the aged copper and red marbles of the front bar. Blue tiles in a variety of shades accentuate these contrasts and connect the yellow and red ceiling with the back of the bar. Here, a custom-made cooling cabinet recalls the kind of crafted fridges from the early 20th century. As the bar is visible from both entrances, it serves as Arie’s centerpiece. The floor on which it stands is a traditional Dutch terrazzo on which a brass footrail adds another classic touch, while the marble counter reflects the neon light crossing the glossy dark blue-tiled ceiling.

Everything in Arie Op de Hoek – from the paneling to the materials and the traditional wooden cooling cabinet at the back of the bar – combines to create an authentic atmosphere that is disappearing from the Dutch hospitality scene. If you want to know more you can visit Studio Modijefsky’s website or follow them on Instagram!

Project: Arie op de hoek
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Program: Cafe, bar
Assignment: Interior design & Identity design & Branding
Status: Realised April 2021
Size: 143m2 interior / 50m2 terrace
Client: 3WO, Dennis Kaandorp
Design: Studio Modijefsky; Esther Stam, Moene van Werven, Agnese Pellino, Christel Willers
Photography: Maarten Willemstein

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