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Masterplan the Afsluitdijk

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A perfectly straight dam stretches across the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer: the Afsluitdijk. A unique hydraulic engineering icon and protector of our country. To protect us from the threat of rising sea levels, a large-scale renovation is necessary. Furthermore, the drainage of water from the IJsselmeer to the Wadden Sea must be guaranteed by installing pumps, creating the largest pumping station in Europe. Feddes/Olthof Landscape Architects and Paul de Ruiter Architects, commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management), created the spatial design for these future modifications to the Afsluitdijk. Designed with attention to appearance, ecology, and recreation, and naturally in close collaboration with the relevant government authorities and interest groups.

A safe line between air and water

The Afsluitdijk stretches 32 kilometers and includes 25 kilometers of uniform dike and five major intersections with harbors and locks. It is the final phase in a series of extensive renovation projects by Rijkswaterstaat (the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management) to ensure water safety in the Netherlands. Many dikes and locks have already been reinforced to protect us from future flooding. The Master Plan is based on preserving the existing profile of the 32-kilometer straight dike and a sustainable approach to reinforcement. A striking contrast between symmetrical architecture and the turbulent water and clouds.

A playground for sustainable developers

Landscape architect Yttje Feddes and architect Paul de Ruiter designed a guideline to allow ecological innovations to flourish at the ends of the dam. There, the water is shallow, allowing for a wide range of natural development. By redesigning the Breezanddijk as a sustainability island, we are providing developers of sustainable applications with a playground where they can test their innovations. We've chosen to approach the reinforcement along the entire dike in a sustainable manner. Using low-carbon solutions, we design alternative dike revetments that stimulate ecology. "Our goal is to allow ecological innovations to flourish."

Enjoy a unique view, history, and nature

All designs focus on optimally experiencing the unique view, history, and nature this dam has to offer. We want the Casemates Islands, home to nearly sixty bunkers from the Second World War, to be accessible to everyone. We also want to open the Breezanddijk sustainability island so visitors can experience firsthand how cutting-edge innovations are created. Of course, the dam must also offer a place to relax. You'll soon be able to enjoy the view over the water from the large terrace, which will be an extension of the current monument by architect Dudok. Large numbers of tourists will also find a place to rest here.

3D-printed dike revetment

To guarantee water safety, the dike revetment needs to be rougher. Robust materials can withstand high waves and prevent the dike from overflowing. In the search for a new material, one thing was certain: the character of the current hand-laid basalt had to be preserved. Using computer models and 3D prints, we developed an innovative cladding that is also sustainable in its use of materials and CO2 emissions. The design is a cladding of monumental basalt, where the ecology flourishes in the openings of the pattern. The waves wash through the structure, where vegetation, clay, sand, and shells have free rein.

Rhythmic Towers

The rhythm of the lifting towers along the perfectly straight dam forms the gates of the Afsluitdijk at both ends. To future-proof the dam, new pumps must be installed in these monuments. Our challenge was to integrate the technical solutions in such a way that the strength of these monuments is preserved. This is achieved by adding new lifting towers to the monument, which follow the rhythm of the existing towers. This will give this icon even more strength in the future.