BRidge IN THE netherlands: Accoya Wood Provides Elegant Access to Historic Fort

The scenario:

The West Brabant Water Works 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 French and Spanish forces; inundation zones around the forts were flooded with water that was sufficiently deep to halt enemy advance on foot, but shallow enough to rule out the use of boats. As part of a recent restoration project, RO&AD architects sought to build in visitor access to the lines Fort de Roovere, the largest fortress surrounded by a moat, while still preserving the sites aesthetic integrity and dramatic view.
The solution:

The architecture team opted for a sunken bridge that sits within the sight lines of the water and slope. The pedestrian walkway follows the line of the fort slope and sits almost flush with the soil and the water level. Appropriately nicknamed Moses Bridge for the way it parts the water, the structure is practically invisible as visitors approach and boasts a trenchlike aesthetic inspired by the locations rich past.

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The Moses Bridge was recognized as the 2011 Build of the Year by BNA, the Union of Dutch Architects.
Crafted with Accoya sheet piling on either side to provide a dry walk way for visitors on the hardwood walkway and steps, the Moses Bridge maintains natural beauty suitable for the historic site while still offering the durability required for an in water and ground contact installation.
The result:

The Moses Bridge is a striking example of how visually stunning design and highly functional material can go handin-hand. Accoya wood was the ideal option to carry out the architects vision with properties that help to not only maintain the elegant appearance the designers were seeking but also providing a durable option that will stand up to the constant wet conditions as well as the winter freeze.

To learn more about Accoya wood, visit

www.accoya.com

Architect RO&AD architects

Location Ligneweg/ Schansbaan, Bergen op Zoom, Halsteren, The Netherlands Date November 2010

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CA_UK_v1.1 February 2012 Accsys Technologies. Accoya and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by Titan Wood Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Accsys Technologies PLC, and may not be used or reproduced without written permission.

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