Netherlands: SPIE brings new life to Hague atomic bunker

The Netherlands, The Hague, 04 July 2024 – SPIE Nederland, the Dutch subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has been commissioned by the Hague Municipality to convert the “Noodzetel,” an underground Cold War air-raid shelter into a cultural centre. The City Council decided to convert the former atomic bunker into archive spaces for the Hague Municipal Archives and rehearsal studios for pop musicians. SPIE Nederland will manage the entire project, which started earlier this year, from demolition to architectural design, construction and its electrical and mechanical systems.

Emergency office (Noodzetel) becomes cultural hub

The project is unique in that the construction area is only reachable through a single entry point. Materials will be supplied and removed using a special crane through a 2.40 x 1.25 metre hole. “Inside the bunker, we have to adapt to install what is needed without the help of the usual machinery, which cannot be brought underground,” explains Maurilio Nijbacker, Project Manager at SPIE Nederland. “For example, the air handling unit was taken apart and re-assembled on site without the usual mechanical support.”  

Two floors 

The bunker has two underground levels, each 900 square meters in size. Level -1 will house a municipal records room with associated facilities, including an oxygen reduction system. Such a system maintains the oxygen level permanently at a non-flammable level of 17% or less to prevent the outbreak of a fire. SPIE is also installing an air treatment system throughout the underground space to ensure optimal conditions. “Everything will be provided to protect the precious archive material in the best possible way!” adds Nijbacker.

Music studios

Level -2 will include three music studios equipped with soundproof walls. The remaining available space on that level will be set up as a museum, in which the old generators, oxygen tanks and air treatment cabinet will be conserved. Two rooms of the museum will also be used as sleeping quarters, an initiative by the municipality to show what it was like when the atomic bunker, which is located under the former Ministry of Finance, served as an emergency room in times of crisis.

“Logistically it will be a huge challenge to work underground in these conditions,” comments Nijbacker, “but we do very well on ambitious projects like this.” 

Work is expected to be completed by December 2024.