*In progress* Exhibition Anywhere

For the photography exhibition Anywhere, I selected a series of images captured across the globe. Her photographs explore the contrasts and connections between different cultures, weaving a visual narrative that celebrates both diversity and shared human experiences. I am drawn to the small, magical moments that unfold in everyday life—unique to each corner of the world.

From the midnight sun in northern Europe to the ethereal blue hour in India or the fiery red skies of China, my work captures the fleeting beauty of these instances. Yet, at the heart of her stories lies the human figure. The individual becomes the anchor, embodying the universality of emotions and experiences. Julia’s fascination with magical realism in the ordinary fuels her creative vision, turning the mundane into something extraordinary and timeless.

*in progress* Restaurant Vivian Sauvage

VIVIAN is more than just a bar. Combining a natural wine bar, a shop, and a residency programme for chefs and winemakers, it’s a space designed to evolve alongside its visitors. The minimalist design reflects a philosophy of simplicity and adaptability, balancing warmth and functionality through natural materials and soft colours to create an inviting atmosphere.

At its heart is a robust wooden bar, complemented by carefully placed lighting and round lamps that lend a soft, intimate ambiance. Scandinavian-inspired furniture blends comfort with minimalism, enhanced by artisanal touches like linen bags and wooden details. A curated vinyl collection adds a nostalgic rhythm, setting the tone for an organic flow of time in the space.

The menu mirrors the design’s simplicity, featuring local, seasonal ingredients served in a setting that harmonises raw and refined textures. Unfinished walls and glass shelving create a balance between industrial and natural aesthetics, while the green terrace extends the interior, blurring the lines between inside and out. Bathed in natural light, it offers a serene escape in the city.

VIVIAN is a dynamic environment where creativity, connection, and community thrive—a place that continuously evolves to meet its visitors’ needs.

*In progress* Tuinhuis Herengracht

During the summer of 2019, I contributed to the renovation of a garden house situated in the heart of Amsterdam. The objective was to create a tranquil retreat—a versatile space where one could work in peace and unwind throughout the seasons.

The design focused on minimising the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces, aiming to seamlessly blur the boundaries. To achieve this, the chosen colour palette was inspired by the natural hues of the surrounding garden, while the flooring extended from the interior to the exterior, enhancing the sense of continuity.

In anticipation of warm summers, a natural swimming pool was incorporated into the design. To further integrate the house with its surroundings, I designed full-width bi-fold windows. These allow the entire front of the house to open up, providing the experience of basking in the sunlight while remaining indoors.

For the colder months, the emphasis shifted to creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. A fireplace was introduced as a central feature, offering both heat and a sense of comfort. Additionally, the roof was partially opened to bring in more natural light, enhancing the brightness and spaciousness of the interior.

Bar design, Restaurant Ijver

Restaurant IJver is located in the heart of the historic NDSM wharf, the former harbor of Amsterdam. This location holds a special meaning for me, as my father worked here on the shipyard during his youth.

The design of IJver draws inspiration from brutalism, creating a connection between the industrial heritage of the shipyard and a modern dining experience. With its raw concrete elements and industrial aesthetic, the space retains the authentic roughness of its surroundings.

The restaurant’s theme is rooted in a celebration of the working class. Personally, I drew inspiration from the underground metro system in Moscow, Russia, which I visited in 2017. The metro stations, often described as “people’s palaces,” were designed to glorify and reinforce Russia’s socialist regime. Their elaborate decorations and monumental dimensions left a lasting impression on me and influenced my approach to design the bar, from the tiles, the colors and even the font.

What I cherish most about my work with an interior construction company is the craftsmanship. Everything we designed, we built ourselves, which gave me a deep appreciation for the art of bringing concepts to life with our own hands.

Apartment Buildings – Recreating Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper was an American painter who depicted the American way of life through realism. Hopper’s paintings create an unreal, desolate atmosphere, often characterized by psychological tension. The people in his works rarely appear happy, and his paintings evoke a sense of being “together but lonely.” The figures in his art often seem unable to truly see or connect with each other.

As a project, a student from my school’s Director of Photography course and I took on the challenge of reproducing an Edward Hopper painting. We were particularly interested in how Hopper uses perspective to shape his compositions.

While designing the set, we started with a small-scale maquette and realized we needed to build the set at a 45-degree angle to achieve the desired effect. The white part of the window closest to the camera was constructed to stand 30 cm from the lens, while the woman was represented life-size. The right-hand side of the painting, depicting the ground, was recreated as a painted surface on the floor. The final image was captured on analogue film using a Hasselblad camera.

My fascination with the magical subject of perspective has inspired me to write my thesis on the influence of linear perspective—from the Renaissance period to the present—on architecture and film.

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