Header: Courtesy of Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel
When Xavio Design was appointed to develop the lighting for the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel Lobby Bar & Lounge, the studio worked in close collaboration with the Interior Designer firm Bowler James Brindley to enhance and support their locally inspired concept through light.
Inspired by elements such as the monumental trees that characterise the city’s historic centre, the lighting approach explored ideas including Floating Florals, Finding the Light, Biophilic Dreams, and Amber is the New Red Light.
Elms and the Red Light District
By mimicking natural lines, the lights connect the hotel to the cityscape. Timber ceilings with LED strips in public areas resemble floating leaves. Conceived and embedded light sources align with the structural materials and joinery to blend in with the architecture. The design reimagines Amber as the new red light, but with an elegant twist. The colour palette balances texture, shadows, and contrast, adding class to the design.
Two types of wall sconces, one in ribbed leather and the other in etched glass, explore translucency. LEDs hidden behind porous steel add liveliness to the design. Custom-made lamps inspired by floral patterns and decorative pieces infuse artistic storytelling, rooted in the well-known 75,000 elm trees you can find around Amsterdam. The light was focused to add true value following the principles of the post-pandemic value engineering. Key areas were embellished with statement lighting pieces, following the idea that placement, not quantity, will result in impact and meaningfulness.
Minimising energy consumption and maximising lifespan
Locally sourced, repurposed, and upcycled fittings were used throughout. But this represents only one element of a far more comprehensive, sustainable approach. Low-energy technology, including LEDs and dimmable, zoned control systems, also contributes to operational efficiency and reduces environmental impact without compromising the design intent. The lighting scheme breaks the boundaries of design by using lively site-specific interventions, instead of a more common grid-based layout. The interplay of light, space, and materials enhances local memory and heritage while uncovering the beauty of the city’s imperfect forms. The overlaid installation expands toward the skylight, giving the design a poetic and factual beauty. Finally, the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel lighting showcases how pensive, environmentally conscious, and emotionally resonant design can uplift a hospitality venue even with a post-pandemic budgetary constraint.
Designed through collaboration
Xavio Design is a London-based independent Lighting Consultancy known for its highly organised and detailed approach. The company has completed numerous high-end residential, hospitality and retail projects both in the UK and abroad. Its extensive portfolio includes projects ranging from small retail, such as Aesop Rockefeller Centre in NY, to Luxury residential developments such as Caudwell legacy project 1 Mayfair in London
Xavio Design was in charge of the architectural lighting for the entire scope of the hotel, including façade and public areas, but also the atrium, lobbies, corridors, and guestrooms. The studio collaborated with Bowler James Brindley and Stylt Interior Design on the design and worked closely with the electrical contractor Linthorst Techniek throughout construction. C&R Hospitality Services (CHRS) project managed the complete transformation of the hotel. Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel Lobby Bar & Lounge lighting design was awarded an Honourable Mention at the LIT Lighting Design Awards 2025.
