When the planet was in a total lockdown, we all had plenty of time to rethink our lives. In our case, that included anything related to travel, from destinations and itineraries to travel gear, and how to go about it in a more sustainable way. In the latter category falls NORTVI., an Amsterdam-based brand founded by brothers Sebastiaan and Max van Dam and Marijn van Roij which manufactures sustainable luggage pieces, using top-tier materials and components, at a fair price point. Following a concise list of depositories, the company has expanded its operations considerably with a standalone boutique of its own situated smack in the middle of the Dutch capital’s scenic Canal District. The store occupies 35 sqm. (377 sq.ft.) on the ground floor of a listed historic building with a traditional gable façade.
The luggage brand tapped interior design by architect Pepijn Smit of local interior design studio S-P-A-C-E Projects to create a fitting setting. Taking cues from the rounded edges of many a transport vehicle, whether a car, train or airplane, and last but not least, NORTVI.‘s very own luggage designs. The premises see an infusion of lacquered timber, captured by wall panels, shelving units, and indoor window frames, and yes, all featuring the aforementioned characteristic. Given the store’s compact dimensions, furnishings are few, comprising a single sales counter – indeed, with rounded corners – while a display wall sees four faux windows, each presenting a NORTVI. luggage piece on an accompanying shelf. A little nook at the back of the store features more products. The new NORTVI. store carries the brand’s full collection of luggage pieces.
NORTVI.
Runstraat 26 (Centrum)
1016GK Amsterdam
Mon 12pm-6pm
Tue-Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 12pm-6pm
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
