Westergasfabriek, Cultural center in Amsterdam-West, Netherlands
Westergasfabriek is a complex of former industrial buildings with red brick facades and iron details in Amsterdam-West, connected by paved paths and green spaces along the Haarlemmervaart canal. The site covers a sprawling area and includes both enclosed halls and open courtyards between the individual structures.
The complex was built in 1883 by architect Isaac Gosschalk as a coal gas production facility and supplied Amsterdam with gas for street lighting until 1967. After closure, the buildings remained unused for decades before being converted for cultural purposes starting in the late 1990s.
The former gasworks now houses galleries, cinemas, rehearsal rooms and creative offices, while the outdoor areas regularly welcome music festivals, art markets and street fairs throughout the year. The brick structures change character with the seasons and time of day, offering spaces for spontaneous meetings between visitors and local residents.
The site includes several restaurants, cafes and event spaces and remains accessible from early morning until late evening. The paths are mostly flat and easy to walk, while individual buildings may have different opening times depending on their use.
Before its conversion into a cultural center, the soil required extensive decontamination, creating visible water basins that filter naturally through aquatic plants today. These water features still recall the industrial past while serving as an ecological element between the buildings.
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