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Building 66 with Building 72 in the background
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Building 66's public axis
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Council Chamber, Building 66
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Building 66 on the left, maroon facade of Building 72
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Void, Building 72
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Ground floor Building 72
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Ground level axonometric, Buildings 66 & 72
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Building 66 section
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Building 66 ground floor
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Building 66 paneling fragment
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Building 72 section
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Building 72 ground floor
Den Helder’s City Hall
Office Winhov, Van Hoogevest. Den Helder, The Netherlands
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Name of work in English
Den Helder’s City Hall
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Name of work in original language
Stadhuis Den Helder
Prize year
EUmies Awards 2026
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Work Location
Den Helder, The Netherlands
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Studio
Office Winhov, Van Hoogevest
EUmies Awards 2026 Nominees
Two historic buildings at the former Royal Naval Shipyard Willemsoord were repurposed as Den Helder’s new City Hall, consolidating scattered administrative functions while preserving their distinct architectural characters and establishing the city’s connection to its nautical heritage.
Collaborators
Restauration: Jurriëns Noord - Sneek restauratie; Installations: Pranger Rosier; Contractor: Friso Bouwgroep; Constructeur: ABT; Installations: W4Y Adviseurs; Building physics, acoustics and fire safety: Cauberg Huygen; Signage and directions: Janno Hahn; Carpet design: Edith van Berkel; Manufacturer of fixtures and chandeliers: Lens; Manufacturer (frames): Kerstens; Landscape: West 8; Lighting: BeersNielsen; Project management: BBN
Program
Government & Civic
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Labels
City Hall
Site area
6928 m²
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Client
City of Den Helder
Total gross floor
3319 m²
Located at the 40-hectare shipyard, closed to the public since 1822, the project transforms a neoclassical mast shed and post-WWII sail-making facility into an integrated city hall. The mast shed houses public functions including council chambers and a wedding hall, while the sail factory contains administrative offices. Both buildings retain their industrial materiality: the mast shed features exposed wooden structural bracing, while the sail factory showcases iconic concrete with a new steel façade. The repurposing reconnects this historically isolated naval complex to the wider city and its residents.
The challenge involved adapting two structurally distinct buildings, one of brick and wood, the other concrete and steel, marked by their turbulent histories. The strategy recognized the mast shed’s vast interior as ideal for public functions, using an “inner street” to activate the warehouse space and highlighting its monumental wooden structure with new skylights. For the sail factory, a three-story void was created to provide flexible workplaces with natural light while preserving the building’s industrial character.
The mast shed retains its original wooden structure under a purlin roof, complemented by a colour matched acoustic panels. The design of the wainstcoat, inspired by a former workhouse left on the site, comes in shades referring to the muted tones of the coastal colour palette. A tactile layer of custom made carpets & lamps give these interior the richness fitting with its public purpose. The sail factory’s iconic concrete structure is preserved with installations concealed in floors, making it possible to perserve the concrete ceiling structure, a key element of the interior. Wooden lining and terrazzo flooring complement the interior of this modern warehouse. A new high-quality steel façade with large windows adds public visibility. The colour of these windows was found in several naval objects on the site and creates a striking constrast next to the concrete structure. Both buildings achieve full energy neutrality through integrated Heat and Cold Storage systems and solar panels on the sail factory roof. Insulation was optimized while maintaining monumental value.