Building 414

Munitions store

Built in 1952, not a monument

Past
Munitions were prepared in the munitions store, where they were assembled, sprayed, and packed. This building is structurally weaker than the surrounding ones. Its roof is curved instead of semi-curved. Many buildings had special roof structures to limit physical damage following an explosion. The trees on the site were planted to absorb blast waves and flying material in an explosion. Moreover, they provided natural camouflage. There are escape doors on the north and south sides of the building and lightning rods are dotted around it. In 1982, the entire floor was replaced with a heavier one, to allow the assembly of large cartridges.

Present
Berlage Exploitatie en Vastgoedmaatschappij is now based here. The company’s mission is the same as famous architect Berlage, i.e. to develop projects they would want to live in the next day.

More information: https://www.berlagevastgoed.com/