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Description

The West Brabant Water Line is a defence-line consisting of a series of fortresses and cities with inundation areas in the south-west of the Netherlands. It dates from the 17th century but became derelict in the 19th century. When the water line was finally restored, an access bridge across the moat of one of the fortresses, Fort de Roovere, was needed. This fort now has a new, recreational function and lies on several routes for cycling and hiking. It is, of course, highly improper to build bridges across the moats of defence works, especially on the side of the fortress the enemy was expected to appear on. That's why RO&AD architecten designed an invisible bridge.

Its construction is entirely made of wood, waterproofed with EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber foil. The bridge lies like a trench in the fortress and the moat, shaped to blend in with the outlines of the landscape. The bridge can't be seen from a distance because the ground and the water come all the way up to its edge. When one gets closer, the fortress opens up through a narrow trench. The visitor can then walk up to its gates like Moses on the water.

Biography

Ro always had something to do with the concept of evolution. After an education as carpenter and later as draughtsman, he studied at the Utrecht Art School. After graduation, he started his own architectural practice based in Utrecht. At this time he met Ad who, at that moment, had his own practice in Zeist. The collaboration at that time was not very successful, due to clashing egos. Ro also worked as a carpenter for several years to seek inner rest, and this resulted in moving to the small village of Alt Hoeselt in Belgium to have more space to think, move and feel.

Ad studied at the Delft University, at first and for a brief period of time he took the construction course (which he considered too precise for him); later he realized that architecture what he was looking for. In the first years he was fascinated with computers and this technology’s contribute for the design process.

In 2002 Ro and Ad came across each other again; this time the partnership worked. A year later they formed a company / studio, formalized in 2005 as RO&AD architecten. The works fields of RO&AD are very broad, including interiors, restorations, offices, housing and restaurants. Common to all, the projects are built around strong concepts and ideas.