Fort, vesting en -onderdelen, Fort Uitermeer Weesp (Amsterdam 27)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 4. Fort, Sluice and Bridge Keeper's Dwelling.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

Located to the east of Fort Uitermeer and the lock gate, FORT, SLUICE AND BRIDGE KEEPER'S DWELLING. Because most forts and other defence works (located outside built-up areas) - when there was no mobilisation or exercises - had no occupation by military personnel, in many cases there was a separate dwelling or other type of accommodation for a manager or keeper. Sometimes such a dwelling or accommodation also had another function, such as that of lock keeper's or bridge keeper's dwelling. In the applied architecture employed, there is consequently no uniformity; the building material used varies, but is usually brick or wood and the number of storeys also differs. As regards the location of a keeper's dwelling, no clear standards apply either; some fort keeper's dwellings lie within the fort ditch, others outside it - sometimes even at some distance from the fort. The dwelling at Fort Uitermeer is situated to the north of the lock in the 's-Gravenlandsche Vaart and thus lies outside the ditch. The lock dates from 1878 and was built here to replace an older lock that had been located within the fort ditch. One of the fort's functions had traditionally been the defence of the lock within the fort and from 1878 of the lock outside the fort. The fort, sluice and bridge keeper's dwelling dates from the same period as the lock gate. The drawbridge dates from 1888, but is a successor placed in 1947 to a swing bridge also dating from 1878. Closer to the Vecht there is still a swing bridge from that same year. Around 1935 there was a proposal to purchase additional land near the adjacent casemates to lay out an orchard and vegetable garden and to build some sheds at the lock keeper's dwelling. This was to give the whole the appearance of a small farmhouse. However, this did not proceed.

Description

Late-19th-century FORT, SLUICE AND BRIDGE KEEPER'S DWELLING, presumably dating from 1878 or shortly thereafter, with classicistic stylistic features, which is one storey high and constructed in handmade brick. Above the cornice is a hipped roof, covered with darkened old Dutch tiles. The front facade and side facades have large whitewashed plaster work, provided with false joints and stepped corners. The windows and doors are set in deeper recesses. The facades are symmetrically arranged. The windows and doors are largely original, in any case as regards the frames, which are all arched. The facade on the sluice side is provided with a projecting central section and a roof dormer with a gabled roof and a herringbone-arched window.

Valuation

The FORT, SLUICE AND BRIDGE KEEPER'S DWELLING (late 19th century, in all probability 1878) is of general importance by virtue of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially constructed from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over approximately 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values in particular as an expression of military-strategic building practice, which is based on the system of inundation and access defence (19th century).

The component is an example of a fort, sluice and bridge keeper's dwelling belonging to the fort, the lock and both bridges and with a civil-military function.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Waterline. Also by virtue of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and in particular with the lock gate.

* The component is characteristic because it forms a whole with the lock gate, dates from the same building period and in terms of building mass, material use and detailing is a recognisable example of dwellings with such a function from this period.

* The component has been preserved in reasonably good condition because the main structure and various details have been preserved.