The Student Hotel Maastricht inhabits the former Sphinx Sanitair factory which made its last avocado suite in 2006. Sphinx is a brand which is synonymous with every home in the Netherland’s own porcelain throne and is the employer of thousands of workers around Maastricht.

As a listed historic building, the preservation of the concrete interior and grass-green painted metal beams was required. The Student Hotel was gifted with the Sphinx pattern and ceramic archive as well as the iconic suite palettes from which to draw inspiration. Based on this, a scheme which breathed colour and youth back into the building was created, illuminating its rich heritage. The palette lifts the spirits while standing as a tribute to the building’s history and an ode to its bright future.