VLOTWATERINGBRIDGE / THE NETHERLANDS 1/3

The Vlotwateringbrug or to make the Westland a Vlotwatering is located in LOCATION → popularly “batbridge” by more sustainable and live- the Poelzone. NEXT archi- Monster / NL CLIENT → NEXT architects or popu- able Greenport, serving tects has been asked to Municipality of Westland larly “batbridge” is a uni- as a pleasant connection build an inviting, sustaina- que bridge. It was built point and broader eco- ble bridge that crosses the REALISATION→ Preliminary design: Jan 2014 not only to provide a pe- logical network between Vlotwateringbridge and Final design: Mar 2014 destrian and bicycle con- the Dutch coast and the plays a role in the ecology Start building: Dec 2014 nection to The Poelzone, surrounding metropolitan of the Poelzone. Along the Completion: Oct 2015

but also to function as an areas of The Hague and waterway a new 21-hec- SPAN → ideal habitat for accom- Rotterdam? The Westland tare green recreational 25 metre modating various species municipal is rearranging zone with natural banks DESIGN→ of bats. the area to increase ac- and spawn sites for fish is NEXT architects cessibility for public and to being realized, designed The Poelzone, an elon- make space for water and by LOLA Landscape ar- IN COLLABORATION WITH→ gated area located in the greenery. chitects, to strengthen the LOLA Landscape architects

Westland between the existing green and ecolo- CONSTRUCTION→ existing centers of ‘s- The development of the gical connections in which Pieters Bouwtechniek Gravenzande, Naaldwijk Poelzone aims to increase natural and recreational CONTRACTOR→ and Monster, has been the water buffer and cre- values complement each Kroes aannemingsbedrijf SITE BEFORE INTERVENTION dominated by outdated ate a natural and recreatio- other. greenhouses and business nal green connection right parks that were very inac- through the greenhouse cessible for public. How area of the Westland. The PREVIOUS: THE HIGHLY INDUSTRIALIZED WESTLAND HAS TOO LITTLE SPACE FOR WATER AND NATURE. LANDSCAPE DESIGN & IMAGE: COURTESY OF LOLA LANDSCAPE.

THE ECO-FRIENDLY VLOTWATERINGBRIDGE BRIDGE, FOR BOTH PEOPLE AND THE ANIMALS AFTER: A NATURAL CORRIDOR HAS BEEN MADE. LANDSCAPE DESIGN & IMAGE: COURTESY OF LOLA LANDSCAPE.