Project: Café Vertigo
Architecture: Studio Modijefsky
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Area: 350 m2 interior, 660 m2 exterior
Year: 2025
Photo Credits: Maarten Willemstein
Café Vertigo by Studio Modijefsky is a bold reinvention of one of Amsterdam’s most iconic gathering places. Nestled beneath the grand arches of the Vondelpark Pavilion, the café has long been a cultural landmark beloved by creatives, film enthusiasts, and park-goers. Today, its interiors offer a cinematic experience that feels both nostalgic and thrillingly contemporary, transforming a historic pavilion into a place where the past is reframed for the future.
A Cinematic Concept Rooted in Hitchcock’s Legacy
The design of Café Vertigo draws inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary film Vertigo, embracing its psychological complexity and visual play. Studio Modijefsky created a sequence of unfolding “scenes” where scale, light, and material shift to disorient and surprise. As a result, the café feels immersive and surreal, offering visitors a dynamic space where history and imagination collide.
Layers of History Reimagined
The Vondelpark Pavilion, built in the 19th century, has hosted countless tenants—from a grand restaurant to a barber, nightclub, and even the Filmmuseum. Rather than erasing these traces, Studio Modijefsky reinterprets them. Velvet and pink tones recall the legendary Kiekeboe nightclub, while arched openings reinterpret original motifs. In this way, Café Vertigo acknowledges its layered past while projecting a bold identity for the present.
Zones of Atmosphere and Materiality
The café unfolds as a sequence of distinct atmospheres, each defined by its own material language. Downstairs, velvet-lined arches and faceted mirrors evoke backstage drama, while upstairs, a glossy purple bar creates theatrical contrast against the building’s historic shell. Meanwhile, the winter garden, wrapped in coral curtains, glows warmly and connects visually with the terrace outside. These zones ensure that Café Vertigo caters to every mood, from lively social gatherings to intimate conversations.
Light, Art, and Surreal Detailing
Lighting plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere. Vintage and custom-made fixtures echo historic references, from showerhead-like sconces in tiled alcoves to Tiffany-style lamps behind the bar. In addition, curated artworks by local and international talents reinforce the cinematic tone. Sculptures, mobiles, and graphic pieces interact with mirrors, velvet, and tiles, ensuring Café Vertigo feels like a living gallery of Amsterdam’s creative spirit.
A Terrace Connected to the Park
Beyond its interiors, Café Vertigo extends into one of Amsterdam’s most striking terraces. Two distinct levels—one vibrant and park-facing, the other elevated and composed—invite visitors to enjoy Vondelpark from multiple perspectives. Warm hues of red, orange, and yellow echo the surrounding landscape, while soft lighting and planters create a welcoming atmosphere day and night.
A Cultural Anchor Reborn
In the end, Café Vertigo is more than a café; it is a cultural anchor reborn in the heart of Amsterdam. By blending cinematic inspiration, layered history, and bold design choices, Studio Modijefsky has created a destination that feels familiar yet new. Café Vertigo now stands as both a tribute to Amsterdam’s cultural legacy and a vibrant space for future stories.
