Fabrique des Lumières is the largest immersive digital art centre in the Netherlands with a total projection area of 3,800m2, including walls and floors. Commissioned by Culturespaces from Paris, D/DOCK's design & build team transformed the interior of the monumental Zuiveringshal West in Amsterdam into a unique digital art experience venue that showcases the masterpieces of renowned artists such as Klimt and Dali alongside contemporary artists. Advanced technology, including over 100 state-of-the-art projectors and accompanying music, creates a mesmerising experience for its visitors.

Culturespaces has become a pioneer in creating digital art centres and exhibitions around the globe. Challenged to create a canvas for their first venture in Amsterdam, our team knew that we had to think beyond the boundaries of a traditional museum or cultural space. The Westergasfabriek location is a former gasworks and a protected national monument. The building dates back to 1885. One of the key challenges faced was transforming this imposing industrial space, with walls up to 17 metres high, into a backdrop for light and sound with the look and feel of a historic nineteenth-century factory building, using contemporary materials and construction methods.

The flexible and adaptable nature of the space allows, for instance, adjustable lighting and sound levels, which is a crucial factor in creating culturally and sensorial diverse experiences for its visitors. As an immersive art exhibition space, Fabrique des Lumières makes art more accessible to a broader audience by incorporating video, sound and touch. This approach can particularly benefit young people, who may have a shorter attention span or struggle to connect with traditional art forms.

Our efforts to improve the energy efficiency of the building included adding a layer of special lightweight insulation to the 1,500m2 roof and insulating the single-glazed windows of this national monument. While our initial goal was to improve acoustics and block direct light, we were able to significantly enhance the energy performance of the building without altering its monumental exterior.