Bedieningsgebouw, Charloisse Hoofd 26

English translation

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Description

Complex component 4

Introduction

Southern VENTILATION BUILDING, forming part of the Maastunnel complex, on the Left Maasoever. The building is virtually identical to the example on the north side of the river.

Description

The VENTILATION BUILDING consists of an above-ground part 34.22 metres high with three storeys and a roof structure, and an underground part 26.43 metres deep, which including the tunnel comprises five storeys. The ventilation building is connected via the ventilation system to the actual tunnel, two adjacent tubes 450 metres long for motor traffic and two smaller tubes one above the other for cycling and pedestrian traffic respectively. The underground part was constructed using a pneumatically-founded caisson of reinforced concrete, by means of which a connection between the land tunnel and the river tunnel was also achieved. The caisson contains the pump chamber, the tunnel tubes for motor traffic, for pedestrians and cyclists, oxygen measurement apparatus and - over the entire length with a pear-shaped cross-section - the ventilation ducts and the lift shaft. Above ground the building is also constructed in a reinforced concrete structure. The above-ground part has broadly a rectangular ground plan with a basement clad in orange-brown ceramic tiles above a plinth of dark brown tiles. Above the basement lies a tall expressive, rendered reinforced concrete building volume, of which the central section has a T-shaped ground plan, with sculptural rounded inner corners and projections at the corners on the river side. On the north side a tall disc with folding-out corners and perpendicular to it, on the river side, a lower, entirely copper-clad apse-shaped section which is composed of a construction of spars and grilles, in which the intake mechanism for fresh air is located. In this tall ventilation space there are eight pressure fans and six extraction fans with associated drive motors. At the level of the motors there is an all-round steel intermediate platform accessible via a steep staircase. At the end of the platform a simple steel staircase leads to the roof. On the east and west facades on the ground floor there are internally the entrances, accessible by means of likewise tiled staircases. The entrances are marked by a pillar-shaped projection and a rounded corner. The tiled basement of the west and east facades is interrupted in the northern part by four rectangular windows. In the rendered section there is in the slope from the broad to the narrow section on the east and west facades a strip of ten rectangular windows. The north facade on the river has in the basement on either side of a large rectangular window two closed, dark green painted, steel loading doors. In the rendered section above a large round window. In the south facade the rendered superstructure has six small porthole windows. The southern ventilation building differs here from its mirrored counterpart on the right Maasoever by the strip of twelve rectangular windows in the basement, furthermore by the office function behind (with still original layout and details) and the roof lights which provided light to the workshop and the storage space in the low building sections.

Valuation

Southern VENTILATION BUILDING as a historical-functional component of the Maastunnel complex, and together with the access building a defining visual element on the southern Maasoever with counterpart on the northern bank side, of general importance on account of great cultural and architectural-historical value, as well as on account of urban design and building-technical innovative value. Within the oeuvre of architect Van der Steur the Maastunnel building occupies an important position.