A House of the City on Willemsoord.

The former naval ship yard Willemsoord forms a unique ensemble in Den Helder. By relocating the town hall to Willemsoord, the municipality is committing to its nautical culture and history.

Building 72, the former sail manufacturer from 1949, is a recognizable beacon amid the nautical activities on the shipyard. The new workspaces are organized around a void in the heart of the building. The design is based on the characteristic concrete shell. The originally pragmatic composition of the facades are replaced by a transparent interpretation that expresses the public character of the building.

Building 66, a mast shed from 1826, is a national monument and built in a sober neoclassical style. The building forms the connection between the southern quay and the central area of ​​the yard. The monumental wooden roof construction determines the character of the inner street along which the public counters, the council chamber and wedding hall and the meeting center are placed.

The sustainable repurposing of the buildings safeguards the future of both buildings and gives an important impulse to the further development of Willemsoord.