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Moses Bridge by RO&AD architecten

A trench-like crossing near an old Dutch fortress line is daringly situated below the water line.

The West Brabant Water Line is a defence-line consisting of a series of fortresses and cities within flood zones in the southwest 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 defence works, especially on the side of the fortress the enemy was expected to appear on.

So Dutch firm RO&AD architecten 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 visitors approach, the fortress opens up through a narrow trench. Pedestrians can then walk up to its gates like Moses parting the waters.

Moses Bridge, Halsteren, by RO&AD architecten.

Moses Bridge
Project architect: RO&AD architecten
Contributing architects: Ro Koster, Ad Kil, Martin van Overveld
Client: Municipality of Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands
Structural Engineer: Adviesbureau Lüning
Contractor: AVK-bv
Materials: Accoya Wood, Angelim Vermelho
Total area: 50m2
Total Building costs: € 250,000

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Moses Bridge by RO&AD architecten

A trench-like crossing near an old Dutch fortress line is daringly situated below the water line.

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