The De Pont museum for contemporary art is housed in the former woollen mill of Thomas de Beer. This factory, hidden away in a courtyard amidst the surrounding development, dates from the thirties. First the old building was gutted and cleaned, and then primed for its new use with a minimum of interventions. All additions are held clear of the existing building so that the time factor is brought into view. The necessary services are stashed away so as to preserve the building’s original qualities. The climax of the complex is the large flat exhibition space. In it, twelve slit rooflights the length of the building generate an ambience that is unique.