Buzz
There are no bounds to the wonders human creativity can bring to life. Even when repurposing tools that were originally designed for something entirely different, there are those who can transform them into something astonishing, even breathtaking. Much like grains of sand swept inland after a hurricane, old military bunkers scatter across the landscapes of our countries, quiet reminders of a war-ravaged century. While some view them as cold symbols of the past etched in gray concrete, others see a blank canvas, ready to be transformed into a vision of the future. Here are 10 bomb shelters and bunkers that have been ingeniously repurposed into something far more fitting for our modern world.
10. Frankfurt Music Studios
During World War II, Frankfurt, Germany became a pivotal hub of the war, enduring a total of eight bombings by Allied forces. Consequently, the city is still home to numerous WWII-era bunkers. One such area, located in the East harbor, features a maze of old warehouses, industrial buildings, and several of these bunkers. The German architecture firm Index Architekten took one of these bunkers and transformed it into a state-of-the-art music recording studio.
The bunker in the picture above is the square concrete block located at the bottom, with the recording studios situated on top of it. Initially, the plan was to place the studios inside the bunker, but the roof had been severely damaged. Instead of replacing it, the decision was made to construct the entire studio section out of wood and position it on top of the bunker. Musicians can record their tracks in the studios, and then descend to the living quarters situated within the original bunker structure.
9. Bunker 559
The New Dutch Waterline was established as a defensive barrier over the course of several centuries, beginning in the 17th century when the Dutch started flooding specific areas of their land to safeguard key cities. These extensive moats were strategically designed—too deep for infantry to cross, yet not deep enough to allow ships to pass. During both World Wars, the Dutch further strengthened the region with rows of bunkers and pillboxes to shield their defenses from artillery fire.
While not as visually captivating as some of the other entries on this list, this particular example is rich in historical significance. In 2010, Rietveld Landscapers cut through one of the remaining bunkers, Bunker 559 (there were 700 in total), providing visitors with a cross-sectional view of its interior—a slice of history, if you will. A staircase runs through the center of the bunker, guiding visitors down before leading out toward the waters of the surrounding natural preserve.
8. The Shelter
In the heart of Shanghai, China, there are an estimated 2,000 unused bomb shelters left over from the tense period between China and the Soviet Union during the 1970s. Recently, the government has opened many of these bunkers to the public, putting them to good use. A standout example is The Shelter, an underground nightclub that occupies a 600 square meter (6,500 sq. ft.) bunker in the Xuhui district of Shanghai.
Inside the nightclub, the atmosphere is dense and moody, pulsating with the heavy beats of drum and bass—an ideal spot for partygoers who want to dance the night away. Much of the original concrete structure remains exposed, seamlessly blended with modern 21st-century furnishings and cutting-edge interior design, not to mention some of the best sound systems in the area. Certain areas embrace the natural elements of the bunker, such as ‘dark rooms’ with no lighting, where the music is the only source of illumination.
7. Bunker 42
China isn’t the only country capitalizing on bomb shelter nightlife—on the opposite side of the Cold War divide, Moscow is adding its own specially crafted bunker to the mix. Bunker 42, originally known as the Tagansky Protected Command Point, was constructed in the 1950s and remained operational until 1986. This enormous underground facility, spanning 7,000 square meters (75,000 square feet), was built to house 3,000 military personnel for three months without external supplies. Today, it has transformed into a bar, nightclub, and restaurant.
Although still under development, the design is evolving into something reminiscent of a set from 2001: A Space Odyssey, especially in the main lounge area. This section of the bunker is set within a long corridor with curved ceilings, complete with the signature opulence of Russian furniture and décor. While much of the space is being repurposed as a nightclub, a portion will be preserved as a Cold War museum.
6. SiloHome
Bomb shelters aren’t the only remnants of modern warfare—missile silos also played a deadly role in the clash of superpowers. And they present some very unique opportunities for remodeling. The SiloHome is built from an abandoned missile silo in Saranac, New York. Although the silo reaches an incredible 185 feet (56 meters) below ground, only the top two levels have been converted into living quarters.
The best part about the home is that—except for the wooden lodge above it—the entire structure is underground. And like any good bunker, it was built to withstand a nuclear attack. You enter through the above-ground lodge (which, it has to be said, is a very decent home on its own). Inside, a keypad-encoded steel door swings open into a stairwell that takes you down to the first two floors of the silo, outfitted with every modern convenience you could ask for—yes, even a jacuzzi.
5. Martello Tower Y
This 19th-century fortification isn’t as ritzy as some of these bunkers, but what it lacks in glamor it more than makes up for in elegant style. The once-derelict tower sits on the picturesque coast of Suffolk, England, and for the longest time, it was preserved by the English Heritage and Suffolk Coastal District Council as a national monument.
When Billings Jackson Design, an architectural firm, acquired the property, their intention was to transform it into a private residence for company owner Duncan Jackson. The renovation retained much of the original brickwork, with the outer walls largely left intact. This juxtaposes the early 19th-century exterior with the sleek, modern interior design, creating a striking contrast between the two styles.
4. Tea House on Bunker
The Tea House On Bunker, located in Vreeswijk, The Netherlands, is a stunning example of how a bunker renovation can break free from the rigid boxy form of its original design. Originally constructed in 1936 as part of the New Dutch Waterline’s defense network, the bunker underwent a transformative project led by UNStudio. The design focuses on minimal intervention, with a removable stainless steel element placed on top, resembling a set of Lego bricks clicking into position.
By using the bunker’s solid foundation as a counterbalance, the steel structure extends outward at an angle that seems to defy gravity, giving the Tea House its distinctive silhouette. This results in the meeting area (intended for business conferences) appearing to float above an empty 6-foot (2-meter) void beneath it.
3. Bahnhof Data Center
One of the most remarkable repurposed military bunkers is the Bahnhof Data Center, nestled 99 feet (30m) underground in an old Cold War-era nuclear bunker beneath Stockholm, Sweden. When the Swedish internet service provider Bahnhof acquired the site, they saw an opportunity to design the facility in a way that embraced the location’s dark, almost villainous vibe, making full use of its unique surroundings.
Bahnhof truly went all out with the transformation. While the photo above gives just a hint of what’s inside, the bunker spans over 1,100 square meters (around 12,000 sq. ft.), and a simple photo can’t capture its full extent. To offset the subterranean nature of the site, the Data Center is equipped with simulated daylight, a series of greenhouses, and waterfalls cascading directly from the walls. It’s not only beautiful but virtually indestructible—the front door is a solid 40 cm (16 inches) of steel, and the entire facility is designed to withstand a direct hydrogen bomb strike. That level of security is well justified, as the Data Center also houses highly sensitive servers, including those for WikiLeaks.
2. Missile Silo Mansion
During the Cold War, the U.S. government invested billions in constructing missile silos across the Midwest. Some were so vast they resembled underground cities. One such silo, located in Topeka, Kansas, was specifically designed in the 1960s to house a 4-megaton Atlas E nuclear missile. Decades later, the abandoned silo was purchased by a schoolteacher named Ed Peden.
Twelve years after acquiring the silo, Peden had removed years of accumulated floodwater, cleared out mountains of debris, and transformed 604 square meters (6,500 sq. ft.) of the vast structure into an extravagant home. This underground residence, shared with his wife, occupies just a third of the silo’s enormous space. The only part of the house above ground is a small sunroom. As Peden humorously puts it, 'We take the garbage up, and we mow the roof.'
1. Bunker Wohnen
Germany is believed to have more abandoned WWII bunkers than any other country. Thousands of these structures can be found scattered across the nation. Many remain standing because they serve as historical landmarks, while others endure simply because demolishing them would be prohibitively expensive, as they were designed to withstand bomb blasts.
German architect Rainer Mielke is working to address this issue by transforming some of these bunkers into apartments. His initiative, Bunker Wohnen (bunker dwelling), involves converting the upper floors of these bunkers, with an additional level added to the roof for living space. The lower levels serve as parking garages for the residents. When one of the residents, Hans-Albert Eike, moved into the renovated bunker, he hosted a housewarming party, where he met several people who had used the bunkers as children during WWII.
