SIGMA FACTORY by Heinzel De Vries

In Amsterdam’s eastern docklands, a former paint factory from 1958 has been carefully adapted into a creative hub for interior architecture studio Heinzel De Vries.

Now a protected municipal monument within the redeveloped Cruquius district, the building stands at the intersection of industrial legacy and contemporary use, shared with a barista supplies brand and a small community of creative enterprises.

The intervention is grounded in close study of the factory’s past. Archival research informed the reintroduction of original details, most notably the grey-painted wainscoting that once lined the production halls and now reappears as a tactile reminder of the building’s earlier life. A palette of deep, saturated hues is punctuated by red, blue and grey, recalling the utilitarian tones of mid-century manufacturing environments while lending the interior a composed intensity.

Internally, the plan has been fully reworked to suit present-day working needs. Newly positioned walls establish a clear sequence of rooms, while expansive glazing maintains visual continuity and allows daylight to filter deep into the building. Material choices are deliberately restrained: poured concrete floors, steel-framed doors and custom-built elements create a dialogue between raw surfaces and finely resolved details.

Furniture selections reference the 1950s, including pieces by Charles and Ray Eames and Jean Prouvé for Vitra, reinforcing the historical thread running through the project. At the centre, a terrazzo kitchen introduces a note of quiet domesticity.

Although conceived as a working environment, the studio prioritises comfort and familiarity, fostering a sense of calm and belonging. History, material memory and daily practice are brought together in an interior that respects its industrial origins while supporting contemporary creative life.

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