The Werf Studio (a.k.a. “Werf” or “De Werf”) was a recording studio and rehearsal space of Dutch band Nits for 40 years (1982-2022). It was situated in the west part of Amsterdam, Sloterdijk.
The name Werf was derived from a family history of Nits frontman Henk Hofstede. His father and uncles had a company dealing with concrete work and carpentry called “Firma Gebroeders Hofstede”. For meetings at their company they always used to say to each other “let’s meet at the wharf” (= werf).
Werf was a former gym built in 1926 that once belonged to an adjacent primary school called “Sloterdijkschool” which dates back to the last part of the 19th century, circa 1890. When this public school was shut down a reformed school called “Dr. M.B. van ‘t Veerschool” started here in 1963.
So at a later date the gym was added to the school building and were connected with each other by a small corridor.
When the school building started to decline, was getting too small and impractical the Dr. M.B. van ‘t Veerschool moved in the summer of 1981 to another building in the neighbourhood. It was decided to demolish the old school building. The demolition process was completed in the spring of 1982 but the old gym was saved and since then Nits rent it from the municipality of Amsterdam.
Initially Werf was a rehearsal space for the band but later it became also a recording studio in which most of their albums were recorded. “Omsk” (1983), was the first Nits album which was partly recorded here, “Neon” (2022) the last one. 15 albums by Nits were recorded at Werf.
Werf was a small building with a small hall, a large space for rehearsing/recording and where stage constructions could be built and tested. There was a separate room for the drum kit. The recording equipment and listening room were present at a platform with a view looking down into the recording space. Furthermore there was a small kitchen which also served as an office. The attic was a storage space for instruments and stage objects.
Werf was only used by Nits although a few other bands and artists have recorded and/or rehearsed there as well.
On May 16, 2022 Werf burned down. The building and its contents were destroyed.
In January 2024 Nits released the mini album “Tree House Fire”. It deals with the loss of their beloved Werf.
Description of images:
Image 1:
The CD disc of the compilation album “Quest” (1995) by Nits. It shows the blueprint of the Werf Studio, a former gym which was built in 1926.
Images 2:
Werf (1992)
Image 3:
Sloterdijkschool (circa 1956). The front of the school with on the right the gym where from 1982-2022 the Werf studio would be established.
Image 4:
Dr. M.B. van ’t Veerschool (circa 1965-1969)
Image 5:
Dr. M.B. van ’t Veerschool (1981). The last school year of its existence there
Image 6:
The demolition of the Dr. M.B. van ‘t Veerschool (spring 1982)
Image 7:
Nits inside Werf (2014)
Image 8:
Nits inside Werf (2017)
Image 9:
Nits inside Werf (2017)
Image 10:
Front of Werf (2021)
Image 11:
Front and right of Werf (2021)
Image 12:
Rear of Werf (2013) where the fire started on 16-05-2022
Image 13:
Werf on fire (16-05-2022)
Image 14:
Nits next to Werf at the same day the fire destroyed it (16-05-2022)
Image 15:
The remains of Werf (2022)
Image 16:
Front cover of the album “Tree House Fire” (2024)
Image 17:
Tree House Fire promo card – before the fire (2024)
Image 18:
Tree House Fire promo card – after the fire (2024)
