This bridge across the moat of a historic Dutch fort leads visitors below the water’s surface without getting them wet.
Designed by architects RO&AD of the Netherlands and Belgium, the Sunken Bridge is an access route to the Fort de Roovere, which is part of a line of 17th century defence structures.
Unlike a conventional bridge, the structure is invisible from a distance and has little impact on surrounding views towards the fort.
Processed timber retaining walls that will resist decay separate the walkway from the surrounding still waters.
Another concealed walkway we've featured leads behind a mirror into a secret tunnel - readmore about that project here.
Here's some more text from timber supplier Accoya:
The West Brabant Water Line is a 17th century Dutch defensive line of earthen forts and walls that linked and protected a number of cities and villages during attacks from France and Spain; inundation zones were flooded with water too deep for enemy advance on foot but shallow enough to rule out use of boats.
As part of a recent restoration project, RO&AD architects sought to build access to the line’s Fort de Roovere, the largest fortress surrounded by a moat, while still preserving the site’s aesthetic integrity and dramatic view.
The team’s solution was a “sunken” bridge that sits within the water and slope. Following the line of the fort slope and sitting almost flush with the soil and the water level, the Moses Bridge is practically invisible as visitors approach and boasts a trench-like aesthetic.
Built with Accsys Technologies’ Accoya wood sheet piling on either side with a hardwood deck and stairs in between, the Moses Bridge is not only visually striking and highly functional, but also durable and eco friendly.
Accoya wood undergoes a nontoxic proprietary modification process called acetylation that renders it an unrecognizable wood source, preventing fungal decay while increasing its dimensional stability.
Accoyawood is sourced from FSC- and PEFC-certified forests and is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified.
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a kind of peace
Surreal………
King tide???
It's a moat, as stated in the first sentence. I'm pretty sure they're not tidal.
In the winter you can make great jumps while skating… ;-)
love that long-neck-only person ~
interesting project, very subtle and understated. bravo!
question- is there no change of water levels?, no danger of flooding?
Dutch water systems more often than not by nature have no change of water levels (one can only live in below sea level land if one controls the water level). I suppose that's the case in this project too.
Remarkable project in every way.
best piece of work in a while!
As it is going to be asked. Does the water level not change as it is not a river or is the water level change so minimal it would never flood?
Apart from 'The big floating heads'-horror theme, it's actually rather poetic..
Moïse would love it.
like it heavily!
but the site itself is influenced…(?)
Fantastic concept, poor implementation.
A quick image search reveals quite a lot of pics of it flooded and unusable.
Such a pity….
Thanks for mentioning.
You mean like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/13822181@N05/5323707…
Or this: http://www.bndestem.nl/regio/bergenopzoom/7667833…
Thank you Rich & Erick! it's clear that this is a beautiful but ultimately flawed project.
Not to mention that the designers force the users to spend more energy in crossing this 'bridge', by descending, crossing, and THEN climbing stairs. Just thinking about it makes me break a sweat.
Are you that out of shape?
STUNNING !
So Beautiful – one of the best i've seen on Dezeen yet!
Give me the luxuries of life and I will willingly do without the necessities.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Only the Dutch would think of building a bridge BELOW water level!!! Innovative, has wow factor, fit for purpose – a winner!!!
She floods hard.
Wonderful concept, creative , engaging and fun.
while I like the concept, what I don´t is the "stuff" floating on one side of the bridge looks dam ugly and most likely smells accordingly
Mooooooooses!
Poetic, ingenous but also funny.
I would expect to see somethinglike this in Monty Python's The Holy Grail!
It also reminded me of Tadao Ando's water chapel.
Beautiful!
very very sweet
So peaceful…. as long as the water stays peaceful. Love it!
How ingenious! Really stunning!
outstanding!
suitable for a dead pond
well it looks great, but its gonna flood, and what happens to all the river scum rubbish that piles up on one side?
You don't think the designers and engineers thought about the water levels and drainage? Also – it's not crossing a river – it's a moat as stated in the text. Just saying…..
It's a wonderful project. Great for joggers!
But what about boat rowers? Would've been nice if these two can intersect somehow.