Contemporary atmosphere with a touch of history

Public Library of the year 2018 (IFLA award)

The new library in Den Helder is located in a 100-year old building previously housing School 7. The new library building has been build up around the existing building. The result is a successful mix between authenticity and a contemporary atmosphere. Evelien van Veen, Van Veen Architects BV of Rotterdam, is responsible for the design where Marcel van der Veer, MARS Interior designers, has worked out the interior.

In this project the library shelving go hand in hand with the customized furniture. The final result exceeds expectations. The new library is a place to be, a place to stay. It has become the meeting place of the city.

The library is accessible to all the different groups within the larger community and has become the “third place”. The inhabitants of Den Helder are proud of their new library, and it shows every day. People come to the library to read, to work, to attend a lecture or to take part in a workshop. You can even get married in the theatre or hold a birthday event in the café. All these facilities are now located under the same roof.