Spherical Bird Observatory
A former bunker of the Dutch Waterline was turned into a bird observatory. It is part of the recent renewal of the historic defence line for touristic use.
Author: Arie Huisman
The original bunker consisted of a small iron dome that was included in concrete. The former bunker holds place for one soldier with a machine gun. Due to the German need of steel during WWII, the bunker was destroyed with dynamite. All that remains was a damaged concrete block with little memory of the past.
Spherical shaped bird-observation point.
On behalf of Brabants Landschap Dutch artist Arie Huisman created a remarkably object, linked to the historical Dutch Water line. The Dutch Water Line (Hollandse Waterlinie) was a series of water-based defenses. Combined with natural bodies of water, it could transform the economic heartland of the Netherlands almost into an island. The Dutch Water Line is nominated as World Heritage.
The spherical shaped object, a bird-observation point, is placed on top of one of the ruins, still to be found in the Dutch landscape. The Dutch Water Line is now being developed for recreation and re-use. The preservation in general is to create small changes and additions with respect to the landscape and its history.
The original bunker consisted of a small iron dome that was included in concrete. The former bunker holds place for one soldier with a machine gun. Due to the German need of steel during WWII, the bunker was destroyed with dynamite. All that remains was a damaged concrete block with little memory of the past.
The addition of the artist is radical but simple. Both structures, old and new, reinforce each other. The observation point acts, or can be seen as an umbrella which is completely build out of corten steel. A small linear opening creates a framed panoramic view.
The umbrella is grounded on small poles; this means that the autonomy of both the oberservation point and the ruin is kept. The clear form, the choice of material, results in an amazing act of respect towards the landscape and its history. The object is timeless as a real folly, useless but of great value. In time the ruin will be overgrown and included in the context.
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