Restoration Project Transforms Old Bridge Cabins Into Hotel Rooms

The city of Amsterdam is popular for its compelling architecture, interlaced water canals, bridges, and docks. However, alongside these water canals lay old guard cabins that have been left to defunct. A restoration project by Dutch architecture firm space&matter promises to bring together the historic city's tourists and water canals through a unique architecture project.

© Mirjam Bleeker

Until 2009, a large amount of these bridges had tiny cabins for the bridge guards who safeguard the water traffic. However, after automating the bridge control system, almost all of these cabins were deserted. In 2010, space&matter's design team experimented with the empty cabins, and turned them into hotel rooms, each with a panoramic view of its bridge, roadway, and waterway. The team transformed 28 bridge houses into variously-designed double-bedrooms under the SWEETS Hotel brand.

Courtesy of SWEETS Hotel

Each cabin stands with unique features. The oldest guard house dates back to 1673, while the most recent one dates back to 2009. The sizes range between 753 square feet ( approx. 230 square meters) and 130 square feet ( approx. 40 square meters), each designed and treated differently. 

© Mirjam Bleeker
Courtesy of SWEETS Hotel

The unique stay offers people an unprecedented experience of sleeping in the middle of busy road crossings, with omnipresent clanging bells and a priceless view of Amsterdam and the people. As of 2019, 18 rooms have been completed, with 10 more to be completed by 2021 or 2022.

© Mirjam Bleeker
© Mirjam Bleeker

Learn more about Amsterdam's unique bridge hotel rooms in Metropolis' full article.

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Cite: Dima Stouhi. "Restoration Project Transforms Old Bridge Cabins Into Hotel Rooms" 18 Sep 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/924947/restoration-project-transforms-old-bridge-cabins-into-hotel-rooms> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of SWEETS Hotel

桥梁小旅馆,28座阿姆斯特丹码头监督室改造

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