Studio Drift's best things to do in Amsterdam
With Soho House Amsterdam now open for business, cofounder of art and design collective Studio Drift Ralph Nauta shares his guide to the city
By Sian Morgan Monday 8 January, 2018
Soho House Amsterdam member Ralph Nauta set up his Amsterdam-based design studio – Studio Drift - with partner Lonneke Gordijn in 2007, after the pair graduated from Design Academy Eindhoven. Little more than decade later and their work has been exhibited at the V&A in London, Design Miami/ and New York’s Armory Show, as well as being acquired by the likes of Louis Vuitton.
Studio Drift is best known for hypnotic light installations, including ‘Franchise Freedom’, an airborne sculpture using 300 drones fitted with LED lights to mimic the spectacle of flocking starlings. ‘Performance is a form of the visual arts,’ says Nauta. ‘It’s not a necessity to own a physical piece in order to engage in an experience; a performance might touch you more deeply as it is not bound by physical form.’ On the ground floor of your new House, you'll find one of the studio's legendary dandelion installations called 'Fragile Future' - just look up when you enter the building.
With Soho House Amsterdam now open to Every House members, Ralph Nauta shares his favourite spots around the city, from where to eat breakfast to where to get your culture fix.
Studio Drift is best known for hypnotic light installations, including ‘Franchise Freedom’, an airborne sculpture using 300 drones fitted with LED lights to mimic the spectacle of flocking starlings. ‘Performance is a form of the visual arts,’ says Nauta. ‘It’s not a necessity to own a physical piece in order to engage in an experience; a performance might touch you more deeply as it is not bound by physical form.’ On the ground floor of your new House, you'll find one of the studio's legendary dandelion installations called 'Fragile Future' - just look up when you enter the building.
With Soho House Amsterdam now open to Every House members, Ralph Nauta shares his favourite spots around the city, from where to eat breakfast to where to get your culture fix.
Breakfast spot: De Ysbreeker and/or Volkshotel
‘With views of the Amstel, starting your day with breakfast at the Ysbreeker takes some beating. Coffee at the nearby Volkshotel is a classic, too.’
Weesperzijde 23; deysbreeker.nl/ Wibautstraat 150; volkshotel.nl
‘With views of the Amstel, starting your day with breakfast at the Ysbreeker takes some beating. Coffee at the nearby Volkshotel is a classic, too.’
Weesperzijde 23; deysbreeker.nl/ Wibautstraat 150; volkshotel.nl
Grabbing a gift: The Frozen Fountain
‘The Frozen Fountain on the Prinsengracht canal is a must-visit. Stocking contemporary furniture and interior accents (including our Dandelights) the design store has close relationships with all kinds of designers and artists.’
Prinsengracht 645; frozenfountain.com
‘The Frozen Fountain on the Prinsengracht canal is a must-visit. Stocking contemporary furniture and interior accents (including our Dandelights) the design store has close relationships with all kinds of designers and artists.’
Prinsengracht 645; frozenfountain.com
A light lunch : Casco
‘We often go for lunch at Casco. The spacious cafe is right by our studio and a great place to be.’
Asterweg 22; cascoamsterdam.nl
‘We often go for lunch at Casco. The spacious cafe is right by our studio and a great place to be.’
Asterweg 22; cascoamsterdam.nl
Experience nature: Amsterdamse Bos
‘We take and take from nature, yet we are dependent on it. Using energy and technology in a smart way can help us take less, or even give back to nature. I like to connect with nature in this city park.’
Bosbaanweg 5; amsterdamsebos.nl
‘We take and take from nature, yet we are dependent on it. Using energy and technology in a smart way can help us take less, or even give back to nature. I like to connect with nature in this city park.’
Bosbaanweg 5; amsterdamsebos.nl
Cultural visit: Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
‘A museum for modern and contemporary art and design, from the early 20th century up to the 21st century, the Stedelijk is also home to our retrospective until 26 August.’
Museumplein 10; stedelijk.nl
‘A museum for modern and contemporary art and design, from the early 20th century up to the 21st century, the Stedelijk is also home to our retrospective until 26 August.’
Museumplein 10; stedelijk.nl
Learn something: EYE Filmmuseum
‘Our studio is near the futuristic and impressive EYE Filmmuseum building. If you have the opportunity to wander around the area, don’t miss out on a visit to the museum or its cinema.’
IJpromenade 1; eyefilm.nl/en
‘Our studio is near the futuristic and impressive EYE Filmmuseum building. If you have the opportunity to wander around the area, don’t miss out on a visit to the museum or its cinema.’
IJpromenade 1; eyefilm.nl/en
Street culture: Skatecafe
‘Based in Amsterdam North, the area around our studio is an artistic haven combining industrial flair with old-school Dutch appeal. As skateboarding fans, the local Skatecafe is a favourite of ours.’
Gedempt Hamerkanaal 42; skatecafe.nl
‘Based in Amsterdam North, the area around our studio is an artistic haven combining industrial flair with old-school Dutch appeal. As skateboarding fans, the local Skatecafe is a favourite of ours.’
Gedempt Hamerkanaal 42; skatecafe.nl
The morning after: Meneer Nieges
‘Another great breakfast spot with a large terrace, grab a seat around 11 and enjoy the views across the IJ lake’.
Westerdoksdijk 40H; meneernieges.nl
‘Another great breakfast spot with a large terrace, grab a seat around 11 and enjoy the views across the IJ lake’.
Westerdoksdijk 40H; meneernieges.nl
