Bomvrij militair object, Het Fort 8

English translation

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Description

Cluster 82.

Introduction

BOMBPROOF BUILDING / REMISE / AMMUNITION MAGAZINES of the complex Fort bij het Steurgat as an example of a building 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 to be able to withstand a predetermined number of impacts from heavy calibre.

As the range of artillery increased, the force of projectile impacts and the explosive power of (brisance) grenades, it became increasingly difficult to resist bombardment. Thickening of brickwork, application of shock-absorbing masonry systems (among other things by means of arches), shallow slope angles and curved or pointed forms, use of concrete - and later reinforced concrete - in increasingly heavy execution, was one of the ways to keep the fortifications resistant to increasing attack power. Furthermore, the application of earth coverings proved to be a good means of absorbing or dampening energy. This is the reason why many masonry or concrete works have been provided with an earth layer or a front protection of sand or earth.

On the Fort bij het Steurgat two bombproof buildings have survived, including a medium-sized remise with two underground ammunition magazines, centrally on the front side of the fort, to the southwest of the barracks building. Via an underground poterne there is a bombproof connection between the barracks located at its gorge side and the remise/ammunition magazines.

During the reorganisation and change of use of the fort, the only visible façade and the largest part of the remaining structural brick components (such as the vaults) of the remise/ammunition magazine were retained and restored. The earth-covered front side of the bombproof building, traditionally covered, has been partly opened and supplemented with symmetrical concrete and brick extensions. The façades have been largely executed in glass while broadly maintaining the main form of the former earth covering. Outside of this, a partial new earthing has taken place, partly with other materials. The building now contains two split-level dwellings with partly glazed façades on the front sides and some light openings in the roof. The new additions to the building have no monumental value.

Description

BOMBPROOF BUILDING / REMISE / AMMUNITION MAGAZINES of the Fort bij het Steurgat, formed by a rectangular, single-storey building originally covered by earthworks on three sides and on top, with underground magazines. The brick façade on the northeast side of the building, realised around 1881-1882, ends in a form sloping towards two sides. This sober, symmetrical façade with interlacing and natural stone coping is divided into three bays, of which the central one contains an arched access under a broad roll moulding - which reveals a vault in the interior. The two other window bays each have, within a recessed arch, an equally arched but relatively small window with double shutters. Façade stone with inscription "1881". The interior comprises on the ground floor and in both underground ammunition magazines rooms and elements executed in heavy, authentic masonry, including in particular vaulted and arched constructions.

Valuation

BOMBPROOF BUILDING / REMISE / AMMUNITION MAGAZINE of the Fort bij het Steurgat is of general interest because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as it was designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently reinforced and improved by others over approximately 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building practice, which is 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 the years 1881-1882 that is an example of a single-storey, brick-executed bombproof building, equipped with two underground ammunition magazines.

* 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 it shows characteristics on the façade side that underline the then defensive purpose and contains in the interior various vaults and other constructions, but otherwise contains scarcely any more elements recalling defensibility.

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