Gemeente Amsterdam

The City of Amsterdam has invested in over 150,000 m² of building transformation projects in recent years, converting former industrial and office spaces into apartments, hotels, and other vibrant real estate. One of these iconic projects is the transformation of the former Het Parool and Trouw newspaper building — once home to editorial and production teams — into The Student Hotel, a lively hub for students, travelers, expats, and young entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and unwind.

For this project, a short animation was created to tell the story of the building’s transformation. Using a colorful palette and a series of geometric illustrations, the animation captures the essence of the building’s shift from a print production site to a dynamic, modern space. The design retains the original colors and visual character of the building, presenting the narrative in a non-verbal yet engaging and accessible way that appeals to a broad audience.