Nestled high on the 24th floor of the Nhow Hotel in Amsterdam, Selva Restaurant offers a vibrant taste of Latin American cuisine infused with tropical flair. Designed by the innovative Spanish team El Equipo Creativo, the restaurant’s interior design mirrors this culinary adventure, featuring organic forms, natural materials, and a palette of vivid colors that transport diners to a lush, exotic paradise.
Encased in a stunning floor-to-ceiling glass façade crafted by the renowned architectural firm OMA, led by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the venue boasts breathtaking views of Amsterdam‘s outskirts. A key challenge was to transform this space into a warm, jungle-like retreat that stands in stark contrast to the city’s urban rigidity.
With a verdant backdrop, organic flooring, and flourishing greenery, we introduced textured wooden features with flowing shapes that serve as benches and dividers, reminiscent of a dense forest while infusing the space with warmth. These curvilinear elements create distinct zones within the restaurant, forming meandering pathways that invite exploration and soften the overall ambiance.
As guests step inside, they are welcomed by a ceiling adorned with plants and a suspended, reflective installation that mimics the flow of a tropical river. This feature, along with glass lighting and lush vegetation, adds layers and depth to the jungle-inspired setting.
Reflective surfaces in metal, glass, and ceramics evoke the essence of water, harmonizing with the glass façade to establish a tropical atmosphere. The vibrant, warm hues drawn from tropical fruits, birds, and flowers—often celebrated in Latin American art—infuse the space through the furniture and benches.
The bar, with its sinuous front adorned in colorful tiles inspired by traditional Latin American textiles, serves as a focal point of color. This impressive bar stretches from the entrance to the private dining area, invigorating the atmosphere with its lively energy, drink offerings, and an open kitchen visible from the dining area.
The expansive glass façade, partially draped in wicker, rope, and wood panels, filters sunlight like the dappled shadows of leaves, creating a cozy ambiance and enhancing the warmth of the building’s sophisticated design.