Aquarians, 22 bridges

Bridge type 2.

Project Details

• Project Name: The Aquarians, 22 bridges
• Client: municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch
• Project Type: Civil works
• Design Team: Joan Almekinders, Maurice Nio, Alexander Paschaloudis
• Contractor/s: Ippel, Nieuwendijk, NL
• Date of commencement of project: 2004
• Date of completion of project: 2007
• Location of site: De Watertuinen, 's-Hertogenbosch, Holland
• Site Area: 90.000 sq. m.
• Built-up Area: appr. 1300 sq. m.
• Cost of Construction/Execution: € 2626000

Bridge type 2.

Words from the architect

One can easily say that, in spite of the Delta works, the power and force of the water have only increased in the Netherlands. It has mainly adjusted its tactics. Instead of brute force, she now throws in all her charms and is slowly finding her way to areas far outside the polders, to the highest and driest places in the country. Following the slogan of 'living by the water' she takes great pleasure in flowing elegantly into new residential areas and is starting to seem unstoppable. This is also the case for Den Bosch, in the new residential area of De Grote Wielen, where waterways were built before roads.

Bridge type 2.

It can hardly, therefore, be called a miracle that the 22 bridges in Den Bosch feel attracted to the water. Infrastructure constructions such as bridges and tunnels have always courageously resisted gravity and water pressure. It has been of no use, the water has already arrived in Brabant. This time no unbending bravery but graceful cooperation instead. If you can't beat them... Just like Bambi seeing her facial traits for the first time in the reflection of a lake, these bridges beam with pure delight. Who would ever have thought of that, having the ideal of beauty at arm's length.

Bridge type 2.

The 22 drops we dribbled on the map of the Watertuinen (Water Gardens) have completely soaked the steel and concrete in the bridges. The apparently stiff and hard materials are completely embraced by the surface tension and now they are wrenching and bending their teardrop form way from one bank to another quay. The bridge is at its widest in the middle, where the steelwork is at its highest and the shape at its fullest. This is the point from where the bridge is no longer a bridge. The point at which passing cars start feeling jealous of the water too.

Bridge type 1.

Bridge type 3.

Credits

• Text, Courtesy of the Architect
• Photographs 1-4 by Hans Pattist; 5-6 by Radek Brunecky, Courtesy of the Architect