Watchtower Einderheide – Bergeijk, The Netherlands
Title
Watchtower Einderheide – Bergeijk, The Netherlands
Designed by
NEXT ARCHITECTS
Image Credit
© Koen Mol
Project Description
Project description provided by NEXT ARCHITECTS - Watchtower Einderheide is ready to be climbed. The tower has a double function. In addition to the view of the surroundings, the tower provides shelter for the bat. At a height of 26 meters you have a breathtaking view of the wooded area of the Brabantse Kempen. For those who don't like heights, there are two floors with surprising views of the surroundings. It is a beautiful new addition to the series of nature-inclusive projects from NEXT architects, suitable for people and animals.*
Understated icon
The tower is modest, but at the same time it has a recognizable and characteristic shape. The recognition and lookout tower is part of the recreational cycling and walking network of the Einderheide forest area. Visitors can take a spiral staircase up to a viewing platform at a height of 26 meters. From there they have a unique panoramic view of the surrounding area. In addition to the lookout function from the roof, the tower also offers surprising perspectives on the way up; notches, at different heights and on different sides of the design, provide a view during the climb. The tower provides a special view through its striking shape, both through the trees and over the forest.
Bat roost
The tower is not only intended for the view, but also provides shelter for tree-dwelling bats through the use of wood. A diversity of niches and cavities have been created at several heights in the structure with different types of habitats, such as winter and summer quarters and mating and nesting sites. These hives were specially developed for this project by ecologist Jeroen Mos. The wood not only fits well into the wooded environment, but it also contributes to imitating the natural habitat. Only the winter accommodation is designed as a concrete basement, half buried and therefore forms the foundation of the tower.
The facade of the design consists of laminated larch columns, covered with thermally preserved pine. The roughness of the material gives the bats grip so they can land and crawl away.
Last area icon
The modest but iconic landmark forms the final piece in a series of area icons in relation to the provincial road N69. The tower was commissioned by the Municipality of Bergeijk with support from the Province of North Brabant and Boskalis. The design was created by NEXT architects in collaboration with WSP, Mos Ecological Advice and Research and H+N+S landscape architects.
