Aqueduct West Leeuwarden

The design is realized in cooperation with Onix, in OAK-context. The aqueduct forms the connection between the city Leeuwarden and the surrounding open landscape, underneath the Van Harinxmakanaal. The design is made in competition with four other architects, commissioned by municipality of Leeuwarden.
Read more
The design is unorthodox, which makes it distinctive from other more functional concrete aqueducts. The fact is that this will be the new and primary connection of the new ‘Haak’ and we wanted to express that. The aqueduct will be seen as the connecting element between open landscape and the city. The ‘Kogge’ is the inspiration. The Koggeships used to supply the city’s over water. We introduced this as metaphor for the connection.
The sword underneath the Kogge is literally produced in wood and functions as the support of the concrete tube-construction of the aqueduct, which is unique in the world. For the right dimensions we worked together with Emil Luning, to theoretical substantiate the feasibility of the design.
The heavy beams in the ceiling at the city-side are also realized in wood, like the oars of the Kogge. The concrete tube-construction is cladded with rough sawed wood as the trunk of the ‘ship’. Throughout the period of the competition we had contact with the artist Armando, he could make a design for a large tile-scene on the walls of the aqueduct.
Consciously we altered the ambitious assignment and created an iconic entrance for the city Leeuwarden.

Ordering party: Municipality Leeuwarden
Location: Aqueduct West, Leeuwarden
Realization: No realization.