'Objets trouvés' wins the Lila award 2019

As part of the Beatrix lock project, construction of 3rd chamber, a segment of the New Dutch Water Defense (NHW) has been relocated, including a number of casemates and other NHW objects. With the construction of the new lock chamber, the Lek dike also had to be relocated and the Lek canal widened to make room for shipping. An intervention that has an impact over a length of approximately 2 km from the NHW. In preparation for the route decision, B+B office, commisioned by Rijkswaterstaat, devised a relocation strategy for the elements of the NHW: 'Objets Trouvés'. The elements should be moved, but to prevent falsification of history, the elements are positioned as if they were left behind carelessly, as 'discarded' elements. B+B also worked on the ambition document.

In the competition phase and after tendering, H+N+S Landscape Architects together with QuistWintermans architects further elaborated the design and landscape integration of both the Beatrix lock with 3rd chamber and the NHW objects to be moved. It has been decided to move the NHW objects consistently perpendicular to the line of defense, so that the mutual distance between the objects remains the same and this segment is still recognizable in the larger whole of the water line. The casemates are always tilted and turned by 15 degrees, with the choice to show the most interesting side to the passerby.

The objects are also no longer buried and hidden in the landscape, but are placed high and stripped of earthenware, so that the original substructure including foundation can also be experienced. A number of objects have been given a new place in the buffer zone between the new business park and the Lek canal, which was excavated as water storage. The lock, a casemate, diver's head and pole group stand there in the water as imposing objects. Casemate Vreeswijk east marks the strategic turning point in the relocated Lek dike and, like the Casemate Houtense Wetering, is turned and tilted high in the flowery grass. In addition, part of the original line dike and an inlet work have been restored. Several pedestrian bridges and footpaths have been added to make the area enjoyable to experience.