History
The coal factory that once lit Amsterdam is being transformed by Culturespaces into an immersive centre.
1883
Building the factory
In 1883, the British Imperial Continental Gas Association built two coal-fired gasworks in Amsterdam — the Oostergasfabriek and the Westergasfabriek — to produce gas for street lighting. Engineer Julius Pazzani and architect Isaac Gosschalk designed the complex.
1898
Expanding the factory
The Westergasfabriek became the largest coal-fired gasworks in the Netherlands. In 1898 it was acquired by the City of Amsterdam. Around the turn of the century the site was expanded with the addition of a 100,000 m³ gas holder in 1902.
1967
Closing the factory
Huge natural gas reserves discovered in the late 1950s led to the gradual closure of coal-fired gas plants. Production stopped in 1967 and the buildings were used for storage.
2003
Becoming a cultural centre
The 1980s marked the start of plans to redevelop the site as a city park. In 1989, 22 industrial buildings received national monument status. The cultural centre officially opened in 2003.
2018
From gasworks to immersive centre
In 2018, Dutch entrepreneur Duncan Stutterheim acquired the industrial buildings. Culturespaces invested in the Zuiveringshal to create a digital art centre, with major renovations and technical installations.
2022
Fabrique des Lumières
Fabrique des Lumières opened to the public on 22 April 2022 with the experiences "Klimt, Gold in Motion" and "Hundertwasser".
“A building has style if it has personality; if it expresses its true nature, discreetly.” — Isaac Gosschalk, architect
