Selva Restaurant, Amsterdam – Netherlands

Perched on the 24th floor of the Nhow Hotel in Amsterdam, Selva Restaurant serves up Latin American cuisine with a tropical twist. The restaurant’s design complements this culinary offering, blending organic shapes, natural materials and vibrant colors to create a lush, exotic experience.
The space, enclosed by a strikingfloor-to-ceiling glass façade designed by the architectural team OMA, led byDutch architect Rem Koolhaas, boasted spectacular views of Amsterdam’s outskirts.
One of the primary challenges was transforming this space into a warm, jungle-like environment that contrasted with the city’s hardness.
Set against a green backdrop with organic flooring and abundant vegetation, we added textured wooden elements with undulating shapes.
These elements function as benches and dividers, evoking a dense forest while adding warmth. The curvilinear pieces zone the restaurant, creating winding paths that encourage exploration and soften the space’s harshness.
Upon entering, guests are guided by a plant-filled ceiling and a suspended, reflective element that resembles a tropical river. This element, along with glass lamps and vegetation, adds layers and depth to the jungle-like atmosphere.
Reflective finishes in metal, glass, and ceramics evoke water, complementing the glass façade and creating a tropical ambiance.
Vibrant, warm colours inspired by tropical fruits, birds, and flowers, often depicted in Latin American art, enliven the space through furniture and benches.
The bar’s undulating front, covered in colourful tiles inspired by traditional Latin American textiles, is a central colour element. This grand bar extends from the entrance to the private dining area, energising the space with its lively activity, drinks area, and open kitchen visible from the dining room.
The floor-to-ceiling glass façade, partially covered with wicker, rope, and wood panels, filters sunlight like leaves or branches, creating cozy shadows and adding warmth to the building’s elegant enclosure.