Wachtgebouw, dr. Abraham Kuyperlaan 1 B

English translation

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Description

Cluster 10. Bomb-proof guard house West.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATER LINE

Introduction

BOMB-PROOF GUARD HOUSE WEST as a bomb-proof, earth-covered structure on the northwest side of the central axis of Fort Werk IV of the Offensive for Naarden. Naarden has long been an important fortified city, but the city was vulnerable because of its high location on the foothills of the Gooi, which offered access to Amsterdam. Apart from continuous renovations to the fortification itself, defensive works were therefore also built outside Naarden from an early stage. From 1868 onwards, the Offensive for Naarden came into being. It consisted of a main fort (Fort Werk IV) and four flanking works. The five works were arranged in a half circle to the south and east of Naarden. Among the structures on Fort Werk IV are two bomb-proof guard houses. Both guard houses have slightly different layouts and different functions. Together they comprise spaces for enlisted men, for officers, a kitchen with storage space, a powder magazine and latrines. The guard houses were built in 1868-1870 and were regarded by contemporary standards as bomb-proof, among other things through the earth covering applied on three sides and on top. With the introduction of the high-explosive shell from 1885 onwards, a bomb-proof situation no longer existed and buildings of this type could be considered outdated. On Fort Werk IV, these bomb-proof guard houses are called 'the casemates'.

Description

BOMB-PROOF GUARD HOUSE WEST from 1868-1870 on the northwest side of Fort Werk IV, just behind the crenellated wall. The work is provided with thick walls and is earth-banked on all sides (bomb-proof). The guard house is entirely incorporated into the earthworks of the fort, except for the unprotected front facade on the north side. The front facade is provided with a wing wall on both sides and has attached doors and deep-set, louvred windows. The tall facade ends in a flat cornice with lattice-work, with earthwork on both sides and on top. The floor plan of the building is nearly rectangular. The interior spaces are provided with barrel vaults and slightly curved rear walls.

Valuation

The BOMB-PROOF GUARD HOUSE WEST of Werk IV is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as a component of the New Hollandic Water Line as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially laid out from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over more than 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic architecture, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the race with increasingly powerful offensive means (19th century).

The component is an example of a bomb-proof, earth-covered guard house from 1868-1870.

* Ensemble value and situational values as a component of the New Hollandic Water Line. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The component from 1868-1870 is representative as an example of a bomb-proof guard house such as those built elsewhere in the New Hollandic Water Line according to a uniform scheme with the application of comparable building materials, layout and detailing.

* The component is well preserved because the guard house has not been or scarcely been altered in comparison with the situation at the time of construction.