An abandoned, bomb-damaged dockland warehouse in the Dutch city Den Helder has been transformed into a concert hall, art centre and restaurant by architects Van Dongen-Koschuch.

The Kampanje, located in the city’s old Willemsoord naval yard, had sat empty for more than 70 years since being partially destroyed during the Second World War. Now it has been carefully restored and renovated by the studio to create a new cultural landmark reconnecting the city with the sea.

While the original brickwork has been retained, glass has been installed throughout the interiors and a glazed auditorium constructed in the heart of the 7,850sq m (84,500sq ft) building.

“The use of glass creates long sight lines across the hall, and this conviviality is part of the traditions of the theatre,” said the architects in a statement.

“The social aspect of going to the theatre is often just as important as the performance itself. Seeing and being seen is a guiding theme throughout our design, and the emphasis on transparency stands opposite the introverted nature of the existing historic fabric.

“The strength of our intervention lies in the precision of the restoration, combined with the radical nature of the additions.”

The €19m (US$20.4m, £13.9m) project, funded by the municipal government, is part of a wider regeneration of Willemsoord and has been designed to reconnect the little-visited area to the rest of the city. A secondary access point to the building links to a new public path and flexible performance space that leads to the centre of Den Helder.

The constructor for the project was IMD Rotterdam and the acoustic consultants were LBP Nieuwegein.

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