Beachclub Bloomingdale
To uncover how this tactile centerpiece came into being, we spoke with…
A Tactile Statement
…Eva Trip and Sanne Schenk, respectively senior designer and founding partner of award-winning design studio TANK, Bob van Veen, professional plasterer at Monks, a plastering company renowned for its expertise in restoring monumental buildings and heritage sites, and Nika Giskes, our color expert at Tierrafino.
Rooted in the Landscape
“The concept grew directly out of the surroundings,” explains Eva. “We drew inspiration from the verges, the greens, the browns of the sand. Rammed earth reminded us of the layered hues you see when seawater retreats, leaving behind subtle gradations. We also wanted to bring tactility into the design, and this was the perfect material.”
Sanne adds: “It connects beautifully to the natural vibe. Our aim was to blur the line between the beach and the pavilion. That’s the beauty of this material – the amorphous lines that feel organic and alive. Even the green tones were drawn from the dunes themselves.”
Sampling and Refinement
Visualizing the end result is an essential starting point-samples are therefore an invaluable reference” stated Bob after being asked about the execution phase. Nika worked together with plasterer Charles Thuijles, hired by Monks for his expertise on rammed earth and clay plaster. Nika focused on color, Charles on the texture. The process began with a simple question: could she create samples in a rammed earth look? “ We ended up developing twelve color options across three different textured samples.”
Working under pressure meant compromises. “Normally, I’d create five variations per color,” Nika explains. “That would have meant 60 tests – impossible within the timeline. Instead, I trusted my intuition and experience to get as close as possible.
Searching for Softness
One of the key design requests was to soften the transitions between colors. “We wanted more gradation,” Eva says. “That subtle blending makes it feel natural, as if formed by the landscape itself. We weren’t looking for the obvious hand of the maker – rather, something that felt almost untouched, as though it had always been there.” Projects like this ask for creativity, which I love, but it also requires you to be able to let go, truly feel the process, and have patience” Bob concluded. Their experience with complicated restorations came in handy here.
Nature’s unpredictability
For TANK, the project reflects their broader design philosophy. “We love working with natural products,” Not only for sustainability reasons, but also because we often use biophilic design principles – bringing nature’s unpredictability into interiors. Materials and tones that come directly from the environment, combined with plenty of natural light. This bar embodies that approach.”
