As part of the city’s extending and transforming of the park, the former university dissection laboratory was given a new purpose as a 5-star hotel that’s also welcoming for locals. The overall complexity of this project – combining adaptive reuse, a new wing extension, and strengthening the relationship with the surrounding park – is a reflection of Office Winhov’s overall approach and ambitions. It was about bringing the old and new together with a balanced new program, a careful integration of the extension, and refined use of materials. The result is a design transformation that respects the building’s pre-existing strengths while introducing harmonious new elements.
©Courtesy of Office Winhov
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park’s Concept Design
Designed by architect Jan Bernard Springer and built in 1908, the build- ing’s massive brick exterior has a formal facade on the streetside and three wings facing the park. Throughout the design process, the park remained the main muse: it now literally goes all the way to the building. Each wing has its own relationship to the park – such as the brasserie located in the new wing, or the bird’s eye view offered from the museum- hall-turned-restaurant. In many ways, this project was about turning a closed monumental building into an accessible building in the park.
©Courtesy of Stefan Müller
Highlights of the existing interior are the walls of glazed brick in the corridors and the large space and truss constructions of the former museum hall. These elements have remained visible and still determine much of the overall atmosphere. Office Winhov worked closely with the client Amerborgh, the operator IHMG and interior architects Studio Linse to create fitting, soft, and welcoming interiors – so the building can better fulfill its new role as a hospitable hotel open enough to welcome the general public, while not compromising on its original special qualities.
©Courtesy of Stefan Müller
Project Info:
Architects: Office Winhov
Area: 7225 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Karin Borghouts
Contractor: Kondor Wessels
Landscape Architecture: Sant & Co
Interior: Studio Linse
Building Physics: Caubergh Huygen
Colour Research: Ruth Jongsma
Design Team: Uri Gilad, Rick Bruggink, Tuğba Gündoğdu, Leon Kentrop, Antonio Cannavacciuolo, Rogier van den Brink, Inez Tan, Charlotte Bonie Toro.
Original Design: Jan Bernard Springer
Client: Amerborgh International
Operator: Pillows hotel-IHGM (International Hotel Management Group)
Constructor: Van Rossum
Installations: Boersema Installaties
Building Costs: B3 Bouwadviseurs
City: Amsterdam
Country: The Netherlands
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.