Forteiland Pampus

Pampus Fortress Island is located in the heart of the IJmeer lake, a half-hour boat ride from Amsterdam IJburg and Muiden. Pampus, an artificial island, was constructed in the 19th century as the keystone of the 135-km-long defense line (the Defence Line of Amsterdam) that was intended to protect the capital from attacks from the Zuiderzee. In 2020, you can moor here to enjoy a day out. For some, the military history is the primary reason for a visit; for others, it's the fresh air and the island vibe. This national monument and UNESCO World Heritage site is on the cusp of a major sustainability challenge. In the past, people on Pampus Fortress Island had to work and live with what was available. The self-sufficient island operated according to smart and simple principles, using only as much energy, materials, and technology as necessary. Inspired by this historical philosophy, Pampus is taking responsibility for the upcoming energy transition. Now that the outdated entrance building and current energy supply are in dire need of replacement, Pampus is seizing the opportunity to transform into a fully sustainable, self-sufficient system. This will make Pampus the first public heritage site in the Netherlands to operate self-sufficiently, using circular principles and without fossil fuel combustion. By demonstrating how energy, water, raw materials (reuse), and transport can be managed in the near future, Pampus will soon become a showcase for the energy transition and for making heritage more sustainable. Cultural history and innovation thus go hand in hand.

Entrance building connects innovation, sustainable technology, and cultural heritage

The transformation project of Pampus into a fully sustainable and circular UNESCO World Heritage site consists of several focus areas:

• A new circular entrance building with integrated facilities
• A new sustainable energy system consisting of, among other things, solar and wind energy and an innovative biodigester for generation, a dimensioned battery for storage, and a smart microgrid control for management
• A new water treatment plant that will allow the Fortress Island to produce its own drinking water, just as it did in the past
• The sustainability of the other historic buildings, namely the fort, guardhouse, peace privies, engineer's shed, and fog bell house
• A sustainable fleet
• Pampus as a sustainable, self-sufficient system, collaborating as much as possible with local entrepreneurs within the Defence Line of Amsterdam in the aforementioned focus areas

In the short term, the priority is the entrance building and the energy system. These are closely linked and will therefore be implemented jointly. Simultaneously, work is underway to implement the island's own drinking water system, which will bring IJmeer water to drinking water quality through unique filtration. Further renovation, innovation, and sustainability improvements to the island will follow, as will the sustainability of the fleet (after 2021).

The new entrance building: maximum experience, minimal impact

We designed a building embedded in the embankment. This minimizes the impact on the monumental Fortress Island. However, it also significantly contributes to its self-sufficiency. The earth's surface surrounding the entrance building prevents overheating in the summer and heat loss during the cold winter months. This allows the climate to be maintained at a comfortable level with minimal energy consumption. The design of the new entrance building for Fortress Island Pampus requires a fully integrated approach, connecting the four core values – heritage, education, energy, and operations. We were commissioned to create a well-integrated, energy-neutral entrance building. In our design, we combined the historical philosophy of self-sufficiency with modern innovations to transform the building into a sustainable and circular operation. The building thus connects new technology with the historic character of Pampus. The functional area will be increased from 410 to 690 m², while the appearance will be improved compared to the current situation. Thanks to a smart design with flexible options, the building will also be optimally adapted to the various visitor flows. This will enable Pampus to welcome as many as 100,000 visitors per year. Moreover, the new entrance building will allow visitors to be welcomed year-round.

A building that arouses curiosity

The design principle for the new entrance building is "spectacular simplicity." "Spectacular" in the sense that the entrance building is energy-neutral and circular, combined with a unique integration into the Fort Island. "Simplicity" because our design prevents clutter, while respecting the cultural-historical value of the fort. Because we designed the new entrance building partly underground, cutouts in the island's artificial sand body were necessary. The cutout on the west side of the entrance building extends all the way to the fort, providing the ideal view of the entire island structure. The transparent glass facade uniquely accentuates this cutout and enhances the quality and appearance of the fort island as a whole. In fact, we are not designing a building, but rather a cutout made in the island, the purpose of which is to tell the story of this artificial Fort Island. The glass facade acts as a kind of lens, inviting the curious visitor to experience the rich history of this unique fortress island. A welcome bonus is that it can welcome everyone and cater to all needs (including a coat check and lockers, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and meeting and conference spaces). Plans for the entrance building were unveiled during the transformation project's kickoff. Paul de Ruiter Architects subtly integrated the new entrance building into the island, allowing the rich history of Fortress Island Pampus to be told and experienced even more effectively. "In the design, we combined the historical philosophy of self-sufficiency with modern, sustainable innovations," says architect Paul de Ruiter. "In this way, the building forms the connection between new technology and the historical character of Pampus." In addition to a restaurant, the building also includes a meeting and conference space. The functional area of the new entrance building will be expanded by almost 300 m². This gives Pampus the opportunity to welcome over 100,000 visitors a year and tell them the story of sustainability and self-sufficiency - in the present, past and future.

Biovergister eerste stap naar duurzaam zelfvoorzienendheid

Het transformatieproject is op dinsdag 16 juni symbolisch in gang gezet door de ingebruikname van de biovergister. Als voorvechter van de verduurzaming mocht Uğur Pekdemir, directievoorzitter van Rabobank Amstel & Vecht en financierder van de biovergister, de machine op Pampus onthullen. Daarna was het aan Boris van der Ham, voorzitter van de Stichting Werelderfgoed Nederland om de biovergister, te dopen met een Pampusbiertje. Uğur Pekdemir: 'Dit initiatief sluit perfect aan op wat de coöperatieve Rabobank wil: samenwerken aan oplossingen die de energietransitie versnellen." Deze innovatieve installatie, de Circ BioDigester 50, zet het organisch afval van het eiland om in groene energie en plantvoeding. Op Pampus hoeft het bioafval daardoor niet meer afgevoerd te worden, maar wordt omgezet in biogas dat de keuken van het huidige én toekomstige entreegebouw van energie voorziet. Boris van der Ham: "UNESCO supports the 17 United Nations goals to make the world a better place. The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) for 2030 are a global compass for challenges such as education, the climate crisis, and biodiversity. The UNESCO World Heritage site in the Netherlands embraces the SDGs. The tangible sustainable technologies that make Pampus a circular, self-sufficient island are a good pilot project, with which we as World Heritage can inspire each other and the heritage sector as a whole. Sustainability belongs in this sector, because we must pass it on to the next generation." The next step in making Pampus island more sustainable is the installation of a new water system. Thanks to an innovative filtration system, the fortress island can, just like in the past, produce its own drinking water.