De Visfabriek (The Fish Factory) is the restoration and redevelopment of a 1902 fish warehouse, abandoned for more than fifty years. Led by Firm Architects who also acted as investor and developer for the project, it transforms a derelict national monument into a resilient, future-adaptable building while retaining its cultural and industrial character. The design begins from a narrative premise: NORTH × NORTHWEST, a conceptual alignment based on the fisherman’s compass. This directional logic informs the internal cut through the historic structure, the orientation of the new void, and the flow of movement throughout the building. By rooting the intervention in a strong conceptual framework, the architecture reinforces the building’s identity and preserves historical legibility.
Restoration strategy and material preservation
The design approach is guided by three principles: Renovate, Preserve, Contrast. Rather than conceal age, the project exposes and highlights the building’s accumulated layers. The original façade was restored while keeping mortar joints untouched and leaving the bricks uncleaned, preserving the salt erosion marks from historic herring barrels. New plastered window openings and discreet double-glazed units create a contemporary counterpoint without diminishing the heritage fabric.
Inside, the historic timber beams and structural scars are intentionally revealed. A new angled cut aligned with geographic north forms an unheated, covered courtyard that functions as a climatic buffer. A brick walkway continues from outside into the interior, reinforcing the spatial dialogue between old and new. Galvanised grating stairs that reference traditional ship-hold covers, allow visitors to move at eye level with the original beams, while recycled brick parapets and sea-green fiberglass grids echo maritime textures. A skylight above the stairwell frames the roof construction, and a zinc-clad entrance wall forms a seamless transition into the lightwell. Beneath it, a tree planted in a basin of recycled glass shards symbolises the fisherman’s return to home ground.
Climate adaptation and flood-resistant design
Located outside the protective dike and subject to yearly flooding, De Visfabriek required climate-responsive interventions. Courtyard bricks were reclaimed for interior floors, while the external courtyard was re-graded with a 15 cm gravel layer to support infiltration. Water-resistant façade treatments, watertight secondary doors, and a removable flood barrier protect the new side entrance. A concealed pumping system provides controlled drainage during high-water events. These measures produce a landscape that accepts and manages flood conditions rather than resisting them.
Circular construction and low-carbon materials
Material sourcing prioritises reuse, local fabrication, and recyclability. Examples include reused courtyard bricks inside the hall, salvaged roof tiles rearranged to suit the new skylight dimensions, original floorboards refitted after structural openings were cut, and window sills fabricated from surplus natural stone sourced from a neighbouring workshop.
New materials were selected for durability and environmental performance. A complete materials passport documents all components for future disassembly and reuse.
Energy performance and building systems
The building envelope achieves high thermal performance (Rc 5.5+), while maintaining visibility of the original structure. Heating and cooling are managed through a high-efficiency heat pump system, underfloor heating and cooling, and balanced mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Photovoltaic generation is provided by 36 XL roof-integrated solar panels. A central skylight maximises passive daylighting and solar gain. Most floors require no active cooling; only the upper level uses supplemental top-cooling.
Future adaptability and community integration
De Visfabriek is designed for long-term flexibility: technical shafts, service zones, and circulation allow for future conversion into six residential units with independent access. Accessibility is ensured through a lift and barrier-free routes. To reintroduce the building to the public, the ground floor hosts a temporary exhibition featuring contemporary artists, supporting ongoing cultural engagement.
