BNTHMCRWL: Paleisbrug

The Paleisbrug is a raised park and pedestrian and cycle bridge in one.

The bridge forms a 250 metre-long link across the railway track between the historic centre of ’s-Hertogenbosch and Paleiskwartier. Paleiskwartier is a newly developed district that houses the court building, various universities of applied sciences, homes and offices. The new bridge has also been fitted with a large solar collector, which will supply the surrounding area with energy.

During the Eighty Year War (1568 – 1648), ’s-Hertogenbosch was defended by having the surrounding landscape flooded (inundated). A lot of land is still not developed, which means ’s-Hertogenbosch still borders onto an open green area, the Gement. The Gement is unique from both a historical and scenic point of view. Nowhere in the Netherlands will you find an area of natural beauty this close to a city centre. Because of the length of the bridge and the spectacular views across the Gement, a recreational area was created on the bridge. The park on the bridge is in line with the views, but also with greenery along the Dommel River and the recreational area around the Hofvijver in Paleiskwartier. By turning the bridge into a park-like area, more than 2,500 sqm of park has been added to the centre of ’s-Hertogenbosch.

The positions of the flower beds and tree containers on the bridge were determined in collaboration with Piet Oudolf, who prepared the planting scheme for the Paleisbrug. The plants and shrubs on the bridge are divided into three zones, each with their own character. On the side of the city centre, the bridge will have low, savannah-like plants and individual trees. Where the bridge crosses the railway track, there will only be low plants, in line with the extensive views. On the side of Paleiskwartier, the bridge will have more of a forest-like character. The new green creates a new eco system in the city centre, offering room for new flora and fauna.

Paleisbrug, ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
Program: bridge
Architects: Benthem Crouwel Architects
Project Team: Mels Crouwel, Job Schroën, Marleen van Driel, Moon Brader, Carel Weber, Volker Krenz, Sergio Bostdorp, Ronno Stegeman
Client: Municipality of ’s-Hertogenbosch, Urban Development department
Contractor Structural Work: Mobilis, Apeldoorn
Contractor Architectural Finishing: Mobilis, Apeldoorn
Contractor Steel Structure: Jos van den Bersselaar Constructie
Structural Engineer: Arup, Grontmij
Installation Consultant: Arup, Grontmij
Landscape Architect: Piet Oudolf
Lighting Design: Arup, Robert-Jan Vos Lichtontwerp en -advies
Length: 250 metres
Width: 10 metres
Completion: 2015