A study in outstanding design – Student Hotel
A stunning new facility with 500 bedrooms and a host of additional amenities, The Student Hotel in the Marina area of Barcelona offers modern, impressive accommodation for students only, and was created through the refurbishment of an existing building.
Main contractors for the project were Construcia; architects were Masquespacio. The project was carried out for the Dutch hotel group The Student Hotel, which provides a unique co-living and co-working hybrid for students.
Considering both the international clientele and the strong identity of The Student Hotel, Masquespacio has developed its design by creating a mix that remains in keeping with the brand’s image, while adding a touch of Mediterranean identity through the use of local materials and a bold colour palette.
The property was designed in an eclectic style that fuses materials, colours and textures. The design features some Memphis style with an element of seventies vintage and an industrial aesthetic. The designers feel that the use of colour not only influences mood, but can also be used to create a bold design statement in the environment.
Each corner, decorative detail and visual element aspires to blend perfectly with a student lifestyle by being part of their daily activities and aiming to be a source of inspiration.
The interior features a mix of industrial materials including bricks and metal sheets, with epoxy and concrete flooring. The design also features added fabric coatings and other elements to make the space feel warm and contrast with the industrial look.
A major feature is the lounge area which includes a gaming zone, a video zone (tribune), an interactive video zone, relax areas, a study room and meeting rooms. There’s also a cafe and shared kitchen areas. Additional amenities include four seasonal rooftop pools, terraces with seating and meeting space, and a coin-operated laundry.
The bedrooms are divided into standard bedrooms, twin bedrooms and studios (with kitchenette).
The courtyard was mainly maintained in its previous condition, although the entrances were painted and graphics were added to the walls. An illustrator was also employed to paint one of his artworks on a courtyard wall.
Christophe Penasse of Masquespacio said: “It is a great feeling to see the project finished and how the guests are enjoying the space.
“It is also good to know that The Student Hotel has a strong identity. For us it was important to understand the brand and seek to create a design that could be recognised as from The Student Hotel, but at the same time totally different from their other hotels.
“We also designed a second campus for The Student Hotel in Barcelona, in the area of Poble Sec. It has only 100 rooms, but its reduced size makes it feel more like a boutique hotel.”
Masquespacio are currently working on projects in the United States, France, Germany and several cities in Spain.
The Student Hotel was founded by Scottish entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor in Amsterdam. The company’s roots lay in Scotland where the MacGregor family started building student accommodations for The University of Edinburgh in 1982.
With nine hotels built, eight under construction, and 41 to be open by 2021 The Student Hotel aims to be the world’s largest Complete Connected Community for co-living and co-working.
