Zaandam has a new tourist attraction. The town, which lies in the heart of the Zaan region just northwest of Amsterdam, is known for its traditional green wooden houses and windmills and draws many tourists from all over the world.
The characteric Zaan style of building has inspired Dutch architect Wilfried van Winden to design a unique hotel, by stacking 70 wooden houses on top of one another, like building blocks.
Painting by Monet
A blue house to one side forms a sharp contrast with the rest of the building. The architect wanted to make an artistic reference. It refers to the canvas Blue House at Zaandam painted by Monet in the Zaan Region in 1871.
The architect has received both praise and criticism for the unusual design. Some people view the hotel as kitschy, while others find it to be cheerful and entertaining. Windmills and facades, as well as the typical Zaan-made cacao and biscuits are integrated into the hotel's decor. The 12-storey building forms part of a larger architectural project.
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this is simply amazing there are plenty of green hotels but this is great i hope the hotels in reston follow suit.
This is a superb video and the place is extraordinary but it still can't compare to the Orlando FL hotels which are known all over the world. And staying there is quite cheap so even a normal person can enjoy some days in heaven on Earth.
Looks like an architectural collage. Interesting
this makes me smile too ...omdat mijn vader was geboren in Zaandam ...and spoke with the musical Zaans sound
Lovely Green Hotel..
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