project for Oranje Huis

Maarten Noordijk

Interior project for Oranje Huis by driessen+vandeijne, With attention, respect, warmth….

• Designers

The Oranje Huis in Amsterdam, part of Blijf Groep, offers shelter and assistance to women, men and children who are affected by domestic violence.

Blijf Groep is convinced that the quality of the living environment in the shelter is important and can contribute to the recovery and self-esteem of the residents. That is why the organization asked Driessen + van Deijne to decorate the bare and impersonal corridors in Het Oranje Huis in such a way that they express “welcome, warmth and respect”.

photo_credit Maarten Noordijk — Maarten Noordijk

Palm leaves, with their unruly resilience and the security they can provide, were inspiration for the decorative program.

A decorative stripe was applied to the walls of the long corridors on both sides.

The track shows a pattern of crystal shapes in cool sapphire blue with warm golden yellow accents, reflecting in all directions.

The crystal line bisects and divides the wall surface but at the same time, with its uniform and repeating motif, connects and defines the space.

The association with crystals is reinforced by the fact that the same motif, in transparent form and on a smaller scale, is applied to the glass panes surrounding the stairwell. The translucent motif provides a soft connection between the inside and the outside world.

Display cases made of rough pressed wood contrast with the crystalline regularity and are boldly placed on and on the border of the decorative track.

Children and other residents can exhibit creative expressions or meaningful objects in the display cases. In this way they make the space their own. The objects in the showcases can function as talking pieces and thus offer a reason and opportunity for meeting and connection between the constantly changing residents.

With their interventions, Driessen + van Deijne transformed four unspoken traffic passages into attention-laden spaces that radiate security and warmth. The corridors are now pleasant to move through and invite you to contact others: you can feel at home there.