Content Creation

The Stories of QO Amsterdam

We created a book about QO Amsterdam — one of the most sustainable hotels in the world.

The Stories of QO Amsterdam

A Hotel That Lives

QO Amsterdam was born out of the need to stop the wasteful, one-use approach to hospitality. Instead, it wants to prove that embracing a sustainable, circular approach is the only way to make a genuinely positive impact — for both people and the planet. This concept is more than just ticking a few eco-friendly boxes. It runs throughout the building and operations, driving every single choice that is made.

The Stories of QO Amsterdam
The exterior of the QO is one of the most visible elements of circularity. Made up of a series of 1,638 fully responsive thermal panels, it adapts and reacts to the climate outside the hotel, working either together or individually to control the temperature inside

One Building, a Thousand Stories

To reflect the innovative ethos of QO Amsterdam, it collaborated with partners who are pioneers in their fields. International firm Conran was selected for the bedroom design, while the Dutch designers TANK created public spaces that our local community would love. Two different architects brought the QO to life. They worked collaboratively to bridge two distinct lines and create one of the world’s most sustainable hotels. Mulderblauw was chosen for their specialism in hotel design, while Paul de Ruiter was brought on board thanks to his expertise in sustainable architecture.

  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
In collaboration with graphic designers Studio&, we created a book that looks, feels and reads like a magazine from the inside. We took on this approach to make the stories of the hotel tangible for a wide audience. Photos Roza Schous

But there’s more. Much more. From Joop, the supplier of the bamboo toothbrushes, to Matthias the rooftop farmer — in this book, they all explain how they made the vision of the QO a reality. We think these stories, big and small, needed to be shared. With the guests, with the staff, and with anyone else interested in hospitality, circularity and community.

The Stories of QO Amsterdam
Almost a third of the concrete used in the construction of the QO came from Amsterdam’s iconic old Shell building, currently known as the A’DAM Tower. The giant, 20,000-kilos heavy X frame in the lobby was delivered to the QO in one piece. The X refers to Saint Andrew’s Crosses — part of the coat of arms of Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
  • The Stories of QO Amsterdam
A visit to the 21st floor of QO Amsterdam tickles all your senses. The unique cocktails and dishes served at Juniper & Kin are prepared using ingredients from the aquaponics greenhouse. Every day, our kitchen brigade climbs the stairs to the rooftop to harvest the tastiest, freshest and most exceptional herbs, vegetables and edible flowers

Hospitality Is Storytelling

We wanted to create a publication that could be found in each of the 288 rooms of the hotel. That’s why it’s titled This Book Belongs to the Next Reader. Comprised of three main chapters — about the building, the operations, and the hotel’s pivotal role in the local community — the book features interviews with key players, facts and numbers, photo series, illustrations, and a wealth of inspiring little stories. About the coffee beans, the chewable toothpaste, the LEED Platinum certificate, and much, much more. All these stories together show how well-curated QO Amsterdam is, and how it redefines hospitality in the 21st century.

Interested in hearing more? Get in touch with Jeroen

Jeroen Beekmans

jeroen@popupcity.net
+31611293820

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