Kazerne, Werk bij Maarsseveen Maarssen (Stichtse Vecht 26)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 26. Bombproof Barracks Building.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATER LINE

Introduction

BOMBPROOF BARRACKS BUILDING as a defensive structure that is provided with an earthen covering on three sides and on top. A barracks is a residential building for soldiers and their equipment. It was the French who at the end of the 18th, beginning of the 19th century introduced the system of housing soldiers in barracks; barracks have since then become part of forts, but besides this many have also been created 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 bombproof shelters, meaning they were intended to withstand enemy fire. Depending on the period of construction - and thus on the expected impact force of projectiles - they were referred to as 'bombproof buildings' when they were deemed capable of withstanding a previously defined number of impacts from heavy calibre artillery. As building material, initially several metres-thick masonry was used and later (reinforced) concrete, while as covering of the roof and the (front) side(s) furthermore an earthing was applied. Bombproof barracks from the later phases of construction of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie usually possess a visible facade only on the throat side. The barracks not situated within forts or other works were buildings either specially erected and fitted for that purpose or not, with accommodation for the (permanent) housing of military personnel, often also provided with other military facilities, such as exercise grounds. The barracks building with coach house of the Work at Maarsseveen is centrally located on the fort and has one rather elongated facade on the southwest side or throat side.

Description

BOMBPROOF BARRACKS BUILDING from 1880-1881 located in the middle on the earthwork of the Work at Maarsseveen, which is enclosed in earthworks on three sides and on top. On the southwest side is the facade built in grey brick with blocks of natural stone at constructively important points. The facade is terminated by a roll course. The facade bends to the rear at the far left and right and has a descending slope there. The middle section of the facade is articulated by means of three bays under large segmental arches. Beside the central bay are blocked pilasters with profiled bases and capitals. The central and right bay have a door with a window on each side on the ground floor and three windows on the upper storey. The left bay has a double door flanked by three windows below, two windows on the upper storey. On the left and right in the facade are right-angled, single-storey extensions (with latrines), above which an entrance has been made in the facade, a floor plan form that was applied more frequently in various sizes. The facade openings are mostly provided with (double) iron shutters and doors; some are executed in wood. A number of windows is executed with tilting windows. In the facade are stones with inscriptions '1881' and 'Maarsseveen'. The interior consists of a number of adjacent spaces covered by barrel vaults. On the southeast side the powder magazines are situated, surrounded by a passage. At the level of the second storey is a number of similar rooms.

Valuation

The BOMBPROOF BARRACKS BUILDING of the Work at Maarsseveen is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and in initial construction from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently by others for approximately 125 years reinforced and improved.

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

This concerns a component from 1880-1881, namely an example of a brick, bombproof building that was created according to a more frequently applied form.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it still displays the features that emphasise the defensive purpose of that time.

* The component is well preserved because the building in its main form and detailing still shows its functions and because it has undergone hardly any changes since construction.