Moses Bridge / RO&AD Architecten
Location: Halsteren, The Netherlands
Client: Municipality of Bergen op Zoom
Material used: Accoya wood
Project Area: 50 sqm
Photographs: Courtesy of RO&AD Architecten
The West Brabant Water Line is a defense-line consisting of a series of
fortresses and cities with inundation areas in the south-west of the
Netherlands. It dates from the 17th century but fell into disrepair in
the 19th century. When the water line was finally restored, an access
bridge across the the moat of one of the fortresses, Fort de Roovere,
was needed. This fort now has a new, recreational function and lies on
several routes for cycling and hiking.
It is, of course, highly improper to build bridges across the moats of
defense works, especially on the side of the fortress the enemy was
expected to appear on. That’s why we designed an invisible bridge. Its
construction is entirely made of wood, waterproofed with EPDM foil. The
bridge lies like a trench in the fortress and the moat, shaped to blend
in with the outlines of the landscape.
The bridge can’t be seen from a distance because the ground and the
water come all the way up to its edge. When you get closer, the fortress
opens up to you through a narrow trench. You can then walk up to its
gates like Moses on the water.
(read this article in archdaily.com ... to read more click here)
