Wachtgebouw, Fort bij Tienhoven Tienhoven (Stichtse Vecht 26)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 20. Bomb-proof guardhouse (building A).

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

BOMB-PROOF BARRACKS (BUILDING A), which came into being in the second building phase as an adaptation and extension of the previously constructed guardhouse A. A barracks is a residential building for soldiers and their equipment. It was the French who, at the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century, introduced the system of housing soldiers in barracks; barracks have since become part of forts, but alongside this many have also been erected as separate structures within or outside built-up areas (towns). The barracks buildings situated within 19th-century forts and other works were usually constructed as bomb-proof shelters, that is to say they were intended to withstand enemy fire. Masonry several metres thick was initially used as building material and later (reinforced) concrete, whilst the roof and front side(s) were moreover covered with earth. Barracks not situated within forts or other works were buildings erected and fitted either specifically for that purpose or not, with accommodation for the (permanent) quartering of military personnel, often also equipped with other military facilities, such as parade grounds. The barracks building of the Fort at Tienhoven is centrally located on the fort and was one of the earth-covered bomb-proof buildings, but since the dismantling of the fort during and after the Second World War, it has been left to decay in its covered form and is now part of the nature reserve on and around the fort and serves as a biotope for flora and fauna.

Description

BOMB-PROOF BARRACKS (BUILDING A)

The BOMB-PROOF BARRACKS (BUILDING A) erected in grey brick, partially rendered, dating from 1880 (inscription), as an extension and modernisation of a guardhouse from 1848-1850, is located in the centre of the fort. The building consists of a primarily rectangular volume with protruding building masses on the west-southwest side (gorge side) that enclose a modest forecourt. During the extension, the building was enlarged on both sides of the existing main mass, while the facades were continued as retaining walls. The facades contain segmental arch-topped, large and small openings, some of which are filled in. The masonry at the location of the forecourt features large arches. The front facade contains an inscription reading 'T(I)ENHOVEN'. Large straight wall anchors have been used. On the east-northeast side (front side) there is a projecting section of considerable width, made visible as a result of the absence of the earth covering, and originally forming part of the guardhouse of 1848-1850.

Valuation

The BOMB-PROOF BARRACKS (BUILDING A) of the Fort at Tienhoven is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised 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 techniques, which are based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the race with increasingly strengthening offensive means (19th century).

This concerns a component from circa 1848-1850, extended in 1880, as an example of a brick bomb-proof barracks building.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Waterline. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The component is representative (characteristic) and relatively rare because in its appearance it displays the characteristics that emphasize the then defensive purpose and shows the physical development from defensive guardhouse to barracks building.

* The component is moderately well-preserved because the building is in poor technical condition, but still shows in its main form the functions and its particular development, the latter in particular thanks to the absence of the earth covering.