Dramatic Mint Hotel Amsterdam Captures the Spirit of the City in an Energy Efficient Way

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/londons-mint-hotel-unveils-europes-largest-living-green-wall/">Mint Hotel</a> recently opened their latest project on Amsterdam’s Eastern Dock Island, which features dramatic angles and inspiring views of the city and the water. Designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/riba-announces-stirling-prize-shortlisted-projects-and-more-than-half-are-green/">Bennetts Associates</a>, Mint Hotel Amsterdam is a 550-bedroom hotel that exemplifies sustainable design. The new hotel is modern, bright and conveniently located near the city's main attractions, and features rooftop gardens, a sky cafe, and a dynamic facade that works to minimize solar heat gain.

The hotel is part of the regeneration project of Amsterdam's Eastern Dock Island and its dramatic angles and radial incisions were designed to fit in with Erik van Egeraat Associates’ masterplan for the area.

A square-ish volume with a courtyard in the center, Mint Hotel <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/amsterdam">Amsterdam</a> is located by the riverfront and next to Central Station.

The bedrooms, terraces and the skylounge are all arranged to maximize views of the water and a panorama of the old town.

Windows all have low E coatings to minimize heat losses and glare and are also recessed back into the building for solar passive design.

Operable windows and motorized shutters also help control heating, lighting and ventilation into the rooms.

A dynamic rooftop cafe offers views of the city.

Although not as efficient as its counterpart in London, the Mint Hotel in Amsterdam still has some elements of energy efficiency.

Views of the city from within the cafe.

Materials and furnishings were all sourced within northern Europe as a way of reducing energy from transportation and embodied energy and waste.

Mint Hotel Amsterdam is one of 7 Mint Hotels and the only one outside of the UK.

Bennetts Associates has assisted Mint Hotel in the design of a number of their properties including the Mint Hotel - Tower of London, which features a very large <a href="http://inhabitat.com/londons-mint-hotel-unveils-europes-largest-living-green-wall/">living wall</a> on the exterior.

One of the rooms with views out to the city and the river.