https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/1089 en-us Breathing new life into old buildings, a hospitality brand offers lodging that blends the informality of a hostel with the comforts of a boutique hotel.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11720 Wed, 01 Jun 2016 08:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11720-generator-amsterdam-by-designagency-and-idea-ontwerp The heavy 1917 brick lab building is crowned with two new guest room floors behind a glass curtain wall. Photo © Nikolas Koenig At reception, historical details such as stained glass and terrazzo floors are integrated with the hip new design. Photo © Nikolas Koenig A former lecture hall has been repurposed as a lounge. Photo © Nikolas Koenig A local designer used lab flasks and beakers found on-site to create a lighting fixture over the bar. Photo © Nikolas Koenig Dutch artists were invited to decorate the interior with street-art-type work. Photo © Nikolas Koenig The interior contains playful references to Holland itself, with metal frames partitioning the café and restaurant that are a reminder of gabled Dutch houses; floor tiles nod to the springtime splash of color in the tulip fields. Photo © Nikolas Koenig This posh hotel mixes new elements, such as art painted directly on the walls, with historical details, such as the balustrades. Photo © Nikolas Koenig The hostel offers not only bunk beds for backpackers but also more standard rooms. Photo © Nikolas Koenig Some of the standard rooms have terraces. Photo © Nikolas Koenig Image courtesy IDEA Ontwerp Image courtesy IDEA Ontwerp Image courtesy IDEA Ontwerp