A pedestrian bridge by Next Architects is also a bat haven for South Holland

A woman cycling over a bridge constructed from wooden slats

Vlotwatering Bridge, or ‘Batbridge,’ by Next Architects opened to the public this October. Marking the gateway to the Poelzone, an ecological and recreational area through the Westland region of South Holland, the pedestrian bridge also forms a haven for several species of bats

(Image credit: Raymond Rutting)

By Nicola Fox Hill

last updated 19 September 2022

in Features

Poelzone, a ribbon of land in the Dutch province of South Holland, has been undergoing a sensitive transformation by Lola landscape architects to form an ecological and recreational connection through the country's greenhouse-filled region of Westland.

Marking its entrance, Amsterdam-based Next Architects have just unveiled Vlotwatering Bridge or ‘batbridge,’ by its popular moniker, a serpentine pedestrian structure spanning the waterway and providing year-round accommodation for several species of bats. 'A textbook example of how a functional object can at the same time serve nature,' says bat-expert Marcel Schillemans from the Mammal Society.

The faint-hearted can rest assured that the arched concrete structure may discreetly integrate three types of habitat for the nocturnal winged creatures, but all are away from pedestrian footfall. The northern abutment is designed as a thick-walled concrete tank for winter residency, with thermal mass regulating the temperature. Accessed by a horizontal opening, the modest entrance is emphasised by a break in the timber with a contrasting concrete sill.

The deep recessed grooves of the bridge’s soffit form a summer shelter, with a rough textured finish for grip. Additional summer roosting is accommodated in the cleverly adapted cavity of the curved brickwork balustrade, the entrances marked by a series of tinted bricks with open joints either side.

Not to be forgotten, pedestrians are rewarded with a rhythmically spaced timber balustrade, providing playful views of the river and the Poelzone.

One side of the bridge with wooden slats and the other side with red brickwork — The curved balustrades emphasise the design's dual function; the rhythmic spacing of the timber slats opens up views of the river on the eastern side, whilst opposite, the cavity of the brickwork balustrade is cleverly adapted to accommodate summer roosting

A horizontal piece of wood on the side of the bridge — The horizontal slot on the northern abutment marks the entrance to the hollow chamber for the bats' winter residency. Internally, the thermal mass of the concrete regulates the temperature and masonry walls compartmentalise the space, forming the ideal habitat

A man standing in a boat, inspects the underside of the bridge — The deep recessed grooves to the soffit are designed for summer nesting, while a rough textured finish ensures a firm grip. Paying meticulous attention to detail, the architects aligned the ribbed pattern with the timber slatted balustrade, camouflaging its function and forming a striking linear pattern

The wooden slats on the eastern side of the bridge allow for a semi-transparent view of the surroundings — The transparency of the timber balustrade contrasts the heavy brickwork, drawing people to the eastern edge to appreciate the views of the river and the Poelzone

INFORMATION

Photography: Raymond Rutting