Commissioned by the municipality of Barneveld, Drost + van Veen architects designed two bridges for slow traffic – cyclists and pedestrians – in the new housing estate Kromme Akker in Voorthuizen, municipality of Barneveld. The assignment is a collaboration between Drost + van Veen architects and architectural engineering firm ABT. The two bridges make a crossing for a through cycle route over an already completed ditch.
Due to their central location, the bridges can be used for more purposes, especially by the children from the neighborhood. Think of a place to fish from, to meet or to go boating. In addition to the requested functional crossing, the bridges can also become a place to stay. We have investigated this added value and included it in our design. Drost + van Veen architects have investigated various concepts: ‘the crossing’, ‘the seating area’ and ‘the grandstand’. The concept of ‘the grandstand’ has been further elaborated as a provisional design after a joint choice by the client, architect and constructor.
In our design, we have interpreted the two bridges as family of each other. Only the most central bridge will have a seat on the water. In the urban plan, this bridge connects to a small square. The grandstand to the water is situated on the sunny side.
An expressively shaped concrete balustrade accentuates a special spot on the bridge next to the grandstand. The balustrade and abutment are here designed as one monolithic whole. A recess has been made in the balustrade on either side to allow for viewing and climbing. This hole also works as a play element to the grandstand. In contrast to the heavy bridge end, the bridge has been made as slim as possible as it progresses to the other side of the ditch. A prefab edge girder has been designed for this purpose. This makes it seem as if the bridge is reaching with its palm from one bank with its finger to the other side.
