arcam

These seven locations share one thing: they are more than just stages or backdrops. They are former schools, factories, garages, churches, and boiler houses that have been given a second life through repurposing. Architecturally, they tell stories of transformation and reuse — with raw materials, hidden structures, or monumental stillness. But only at night do they become sensorially active.

Here, architecture doesn’t stay in the background — it plays along: as a soundbox, as a labyrinth, as a ritual space. From the brutalist maze of Tillatec to the rounded shelter of Bret, from the industrial carcass of Garage Noord to the sacral uplift of Het Sieraad’s Atrium — each building contributes to the experience, amplifying the rhythm of the night.

This series is an ode to seven buildings that not only house the night but also shape it.

Behind an unassuming facade on Doctor Jan van Breemenstraat hides one of the most iconic examples of nightlife culture in a repurposed building: Tillatec. This former 1960s secondary school is a textbook example of brutalist architecture — known for its robust forms, exposed structures, and heavy use of raw concrete.

The original structure — a concrete skeleton with long corridors, classrooms, and gyms — has been largely preserved but is now used in an entirely different way. Where fluorescent lighting once symbolized knowledge, subtle light installations now create an atmosphere of mystery and stillness. The hard materials and geometric forms enhance the sensory experience of sound and space: basslines seem to vibrate through the walls while dancers’ shadows flicker across weathered concrete surfaces.

The building’s internal routing — with unexpected transitions, staircases, and hidden passages — turns every night into an exploration. You lose yourself between dance floors, art installations, and chill-out spaces, like in a labyrinth. Outside, a closed-off facade heightens the contrast between the exterior and the interior; only upon entry does the building’s true function unfold.

In the heart of the city, tucked between canals and shops, stands a building that transforms into a lively, rhythmically breathing machine at night: the Melkweg. What is now a multidisciplinary cultural venue began as a former dairy factory — an early 20th-century industrial site where dairy was processed, packaged, and transported.

Architecturally, the building fuses old and new: brick facades with tall industrial windows hint at its original function, while interventions from the 1990s and 2000s — steel walkways, black steel structures, glass volumes — reflect its rebirth as a cultural center. Inside, the building is structured like a layered machine: multiple halls, stairs, balconies, and passages create a vertical urban network that invites visitors to wander, explore, and connect.

At night, the whole comes alive. In the Max hall, the music pounds like in a factory hall, while upstairs in the Old Hall, smaller gigs and club nights unfold. Every part of the building has its own acoustics, atmosphere, and audience. Circulation between halls remains deliberately open: staircases and sightlines ensure you never feel entirely enclosed but always remain connected to the rest of the building — and to the city.

At the top of the A’DAM Tower, on the 16th floor, lies The Loft — a multifunctional space that looks like a minimalist design icon during the day but transforms at night into a panoramic night theater. The tower itself, a former 1970s Shell office building, was redeveloped in 2016 into a vertical urban stage for music, gastronomy, and creative entrepreneurship, led by architectural firm Claus en Kaan. The original modernist structure was preserved but enhanced with sharp lines, glass extensions, and a striking black-and-white contrast.

The Loft is located at the tower’s pinnacle, surrounded by five-meter-high windows offering a 360-degree view over Amsterdam. During the day it’s minimalistic and light; at night, it becomes an almost ethereal place where city and sky merge. The skyline — filled with twinkling lights, reflections in the IJ river, and the constant movement of city traffic — acts as a living backdrop.

Architecturally, The Loft is a study in scale and detail. The space is open and modular, with movable walls, a floating staircase, and a smart mix of rough materials (concrete, steel) and soft elements (velvet, wood). At night, it’s often transformed for temporary club nights, fashion shows, or audiovisual performances. The minimalist design leaves room for maximalist experiences: light projections, sound systems, and scenographies are often custom-tailored to the space.

In the heart of the Bajeskwartier — the redeveloped site of the former Bijlmerbajes prison — you’ll find Levenslang: a unique club and event venue housed in the old prison boiler house. This space, once providing heat and energy to the penitentiary, has been transformed into a raw and industrial nighttime refuge where history and future meet under melodic rhythms.

The architecture of Levenslang retains many original elements of the boiler house: high ceilings, visible pipes, and the massive boilers that hark back to the past. This industrial aesthetic is complemented by modern touches like neon lighting and greenery, creating a unique and intimate atmosphere.

The venue features several spaces, including the Main Venue, the Expo, Block 1, and the Courtyard. The Courtyard — the former prison yard — is now a charming outdoor area where the original prison bars are still present, adding an authentic and conversation-starting touch to the terrace.

In Amsterdam West, along Postjesweg, stands Het Sieraad: a monumental building that during the day reflects its rich history as a trade school and at night transforms into a vibrant club and event venue. Built in the 1920s and designed by architect Arend Jan Westerman, the building is a prime example of the Amsterdam School architectural style. Its richly detailed brick facades feature elegant lines and sculptures by Hildo Krop, symbolizing the trades once taught there.

At the heart of the building lies the Atrium: an impressive courtyard topped by a sixteen-meter-high glass roof. Once a gathering place for students, it’s now a grand space for nighttime events. Tall columns, brick ornamentation, and stained-glass windows create a nearly sacred atmosphere where light, sound, and architecture merge.

After years of vacancy and temporary use by artists, the building was thoroughly restored in the early 2000s. Its original character was preserved while adapting the spaces for multifunctional use — today hosting club nights, exhibitions, dinners, and concerts.

Het Sieraad truly awakens at night: electronic beats echo under the vaulted ceilings, light drifts through the glass canopy, and the monument becomes a bustling cathedral of the night where history and contemporary culture meet in a sensorial dance.

Tucked among office buildings, station halls, and parking garages around Amsterdam Sloterdijk stands BRET: a bright red, compact structure that boldly stands out from its cold surroundings. The idea for BRET was conceived in 2012, when Studio Valkenier envisioned a green future for the station square. The restaurant BRET became the red icon: a circular, sustainable building made entirely from reused materials, including shipping containers, reclaimed glass and insulation, wood from an old station platform, a kitchen from a beach pavilion, and structural beams from nearby nature reserve trees.

Architecturally, BRET combines robust industrial elements with a warm, informal atmosphere. The structure is playful and angular, clad in red steel plates arranged in an irregular rhythm. Inside, the earthy and welcoming design — lots of wood, curved lines, natural light, and dynamic routing — stands in stark contrast to the formal surroundings. The spaces are modular: from café to club, from intimate concerts to exuberant nights on the terrace.

Since 2017, across the street lies the Garden of BRET: a green extension of the initiative, emphasizing sustainability, creativity, and community. BRET proves that nightlife culture doesn’t have to be raw and industrial — here, it’s the softness of the architecture that invites spontaneous encounters, unexpected nights, and an alternative urban rhythm.

On Weteringschans, between Leidseplein and Vondelpark, stands a building that speaks of its religious past during the day but transforms into a temple of music and nightlife after dark: Paradiso. Originally built between 1879 and 1880 as a church for the Free Congregation, Paradiso was designed in a sober neo-Romanesque style. The brick facade, rounded arches, and tall windows still recall its spiritual origins — but inside, nightlife has long since taken over the altar.

The main hall, with its high vaults, stained glass windows, and balcony construction, forms the heart of the experience. Here, architecture and acoustics merge: the height creates a resonant soundscape, while the audience gathers around the stage like a half-arena. This layout fosters a collective, almost ritual atmosphere during concerts and club nights.

Since the 1960s, when the building was squatted by young people and later transformed into a cultural center, Paradiso has grown into an icon of alternative culture and the international pop scene. It is also a nightclub, a venue for queer parties, electronic music, poetry, and debates.

What makes Paradiso special in the context of night architecture is how the past remains physically present: dancing in a former church isn’t a gimmick but an ongoing dialogue between space, history, and contemporary culture. At night, Paradiso transforms into a transcendent place where the uplifting force of music and the monumental silence of architecture reinforce each other.

Arcam puts the city at your feet. Our iconic building on the Oosterdok is the place to go for architecture in Amsterdam. Whether you are visiting an exhibition or attending a debate, a visit to Arcam will broaden your view.