Bomvrij militair object, Het Fort 4

English translation

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Description

Cluster 82.

Introduction

BOMBPROOF BUILDING / BARRACKS with POTERNE of the complex Fort by the Steurgat as an example of a structure covered by earth on three sides and on top, of which only the gorge side was not covered. Depending on the period of construction - and thus the expected impact force of projectiles - one spoke of 'bombproof buildings' when they were deemed capable of withstanding a predetermined number of impacts from heavy calibre artillery.

A BARRACKS is a residential building for soldiers and their equipment. It was the French who introduced the system of housing soldiers in barracks at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century; many barracks became part of forts from that time onwards, but there were also numerous ones created as separate structures within or outside built-up areas (cities). The barracks buildings situated within 19th-century forts and other works were usually constructed as bombproof accommodations, that is to say they were designed to withstand enemy fire. Metres-thick masonry or (reinforced) concrete was used as building material, while the roof and front side were additionally covered with earth. Thickening of masonry, application of shock-absorbing masonry systems (inter alia by means of arches), shallow angles of inclination and curved or pointed forms, use of concrete - and later of reinforced concrete - in increasingly heavy designs, was one of the ways to keep fortified works resistant to increasing attack force. Moreover, the application of earth coverings had proved to be an effective means of absorbing or dampening energy. This is the reason why many masonry or concrete structures are provided with an earth layer or front protection of sand or earth. The barracks not situated within forts or other works were buildings 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.

At the barracks of the Fort by the Steurgat, earth covering of the heavy masonry took place virtually all around and only the main facade - the gorge side - remained visible. The barracks is situated centrally on the fort with this facade facing northeast.

During the reorganisation and change of use of the fort, around 2000, the two storeys constituting the main facade and most other structural brick components (such as the vaulted spaces) were retained and restored. The earth-covered front side was partly and the earth covering itself was completely removed to make room for deep apartments and an additional storey. To this end, parts of the bombproof building were replaced or supplemented with a concrete frame, particularly on the front side and on top. Subsequently, a partial earth covering took place on the front side and a total new earth covering on both flanks with partly different material. The earth covering on the front side was further largely 'replaced' by a predominantly glazed facade. On the roof, no earth covering took place and a flat, hard roof covering with some light openings was realised. The current building is fitted with several apartments behind the main facade, largely with retention of the authentic internal structure and articulation. Above this came a third storey, not visible from the main facade side. On the front side, the three storeys and their (partly sloping) glass facades are clearly visible. The new additions to the building have no monumental value.

A POTERNE is an underground, bombproof passage within a fort or other work, which connects components of the fort, usually the main work and outwork(s). In the Fort by the Steurgat, a poterne connects the bombproof barracks with the bombproof remise situated on the front side of the fort.

Description

BOMBPROOF BUILDING / BARRACKS of the Fort at the Steurgat, executed in heavy masonry, approximately 60 m wide, main building situated centrally on the fort. The barracks is two storeys high and comprises a series of non-identical bays under broad brick arches. The facade contains arched entrances with mostly windows of the same type on either side, not everywhere of equal size. The wooden shutters are painted in an ox-blood red tint. On the first floor similar types, single, double or tripled coupled windows of different sizes. To the left below an inclined wing wall lying in line with the facade, a comparable bay without an upper floor, and to the right an angled retaining wall up to first floor level with two entrances above it and a window. The interior comprises on the ground floor and the first floor various rooms and elements executed in heavy, authentic masonry, including in particular arched and vaulted constructions.

Via the POTERNE executed in arched masonry, there is an underground, bombproof connection between the barracks and the remise/ammunition magazine situated on the front side thereof.

Valuation

The BOMBPROOF BUILDING / BARRACKS with POTERNE of the Fort by the Steurgat is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie 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 for approximately 125 years.

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

This is a component from the years 1881-1882 which is an example of a two-storey, brick-executed bombproof building with a poterne to a nearby remise/ammunition magazine.

* 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 moderately representative because on the facade side it displays characteristics that underline the then defensive purpose and in the interior still contains many vaults and other constructions, but otherwise contains scarcely any elements reminiscent of defensiveness.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because around the year 2000 it underwent substantial modifications and also extensions in its physical context and in material terms, but in its appearance it has retained for an important part the structure that was characteristic of the condition in the 1880s.