Sunken 'Moses Bridge' in Halsteren by Ro&Ad Architects

The Dutch Association of Architects has decided to award the title of 'Building of the Year 2011' to the unusual project of a bridge buried in a water trench. The authors of this work, which is more an artistic concept than a fully-fledged engineering structure, are Ro Koster and Ad Kil from the Dutch office Ro&Ad. The buried bridge reconnects the Fort de Roovere, which is part of the Western Brabant water defense line dating back to 1628. These earthworks served during the war with the Spanish and later with the French to flood the surrounding landscape and complicate the attackers' situation. In the 19th century, this defensive complex declined and was only recently restored as a monument, but also as part of a national tourist route and cycle path.
The accessibility challenge of the defensive facility Fort de Roovere conceals a paradox that the architects justified as follows: “Naturally, it was utterly unacceptable to place a bridge over the embankment, especially from where the enemies once approached, and therefore we made the bridge invisible. Only upon closer inspection does the path to the fort open up through a narrow trench. Just as Moses once parted the Red Sea, you too can walk through the water.”
The path runs through the water trench with the precision of an archaeological cut. The entire structure remains hidden from view, and the only thing visible are the heads of visitors passing through the recessed bridge.

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