Bomvrij militair object, Diefdijk 26

English translation

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Description

Cluster 65.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

BOMBPROOF BUILDING A / GUARDHOUSE, centrally located on the Works on the Railway at the Diefdijk and of a type that is provided with an earth covering on three sides and on top and that only has a facade on the throat side. With the increase in the range of artillery, the force of projectile impacts and the explosive power of (brisance) shells, it became increasingly difficult to withstand bombardment. Reinforcement of masonry, application of shock-absorbing masonry systems (among other things by means of arches), shallow angles of inclination and curved or pointed forms, use of concrete - and later reinforced concrete - in increasingly heavy execution, was one of the ways to keep fortification works resistant to increasing offensive power. Moreover, the application of earth coverings proved to be a good means to absorb or dampen energy. This is why many masonry or concrete works are provided with an earth layer or front protection of sand or earth. Depending on the period of construction - and thus the expected impact force of projectiles - one spoke of 'bombproof buildings', when they were considered to be able to withstand a predetermined number of impacts from heavy calibre. On the south side the building adjoins Building C, dating from approximately 1886.

The building is now partly in use as a dwelling and has been adapted for that reason; amongst other things, glazing with glazing bars and access doors have been introduced.

Description

BOMBPROOF BUILDING A / GUARDHOUSE diagonally opposite the access to the Works on the Railway at the Diefdijk is a single-storey building with visible facade on the west side. The building, realised around 1880, is covered by an earth layer, which conceals all sides, except the brick west facade, from view. The earth layer has been applied as protection against projectile impacts. The facade is relatively high and has a sober and functional architecture. At the ends the slightly curved inward facade is partly hidden behind the sloping earth embankment; on the roof brick chimneys. In the facade the date 1880. Two broad, arched facade openings (central and left of centre) have relatively recently been provided with glazing and access doors; on the right two access openings, arched and semi-circular and several smaller facade openings with shutters, all with green painted doors. According to design drawing a rectangular ground plan. The interior consists of rooms with compressed masonry barrel vaults. The building is sub-cellar on two levels. On the right side (south side) Building C, realised approximately in 1886, with four rectangular access openings with iron doors.

Valuation

The BOMBPROOF BUILDING A / GUARDHOUSE of the Works on the Railway at the Diefdijk 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 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 construction, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the arms race with increasingly strengthening offensive means (19th century).

This concerns here a component from approximately 1880, namely an example of a masonry and earth-covered bombproof building (with on the south side an extension: Building C).

* 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 reasonably representative because it, despite the residential function, displays in appearance the characteristics that make the then defensive purpose recognisable.

* The component is reasonably well-preserved, because although it has undergone some adaptations over time, it has retained the original structure.