Bijgebouwen, Ruigenhoeksedijk 125

English translation

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Description

Cluster 31. Fort Warden's Dwelling.

NEW HOLLANDISH WATER LINE

Introduction

FORT WARDEN'S DWELLING of Fort Ruigenhoek, as an example of a non-defensible component built on the throat side of the fort, outside the fort island. Because most forts and other (defence works located outside the built-up area) did not have a garrison of military personnel when there was no mobilisation or exercises, in many cases a separate dwelling or other type of accommodation was provided for a manager or warden. Sometimes such a dwelling or accommodation also served another function, such as that of a sluice-keeper's dwelling or bridge-keeper's house. In the architecture applied, there is consequently no uniformity; the building material used varies, but usually consists of brick or timber, while the number of storeys also differs. Nor are there clear standards with regard to the location of a warden's dwelling; some fort warden's dwellings lie within the fort ditch, others outside it - sometimes even at some distance from the fort, but usually on its throat side. The fort warden's dwelling at Fort Ruigenhoek is a brick structure with a gabled roof, comprising one storey. The dwelling is situated on the south side of the fort, near the access bridge, and at the corner of Kanonsdijk and Ruigenhoekse Dijk. The detailing of the building - in particular due to altered infill of façade openings - is not original. On the rear side wall a small wooden extension serving as a draught lobby.

Description

The FORT WARDEN'S DWELLING of Fort Ruigenhoek is built on a rectangular floor plan (approx. 11 x 8 m) and is covered by a gabled roof with interlocking pantiles. The one-storey building has a symmetrical arrangement of front and side façades; all façades have four window or entrance openings on the ground floor; the entrance is centrally located in the long wall facing Kanonsdijk. In the gable walls two smaller window openings each. Only the façade facing the fort is unplastered and whitewashed. The building is provided with wall anchors and brick flues.

Valuation

The FORT WARDEN'S DWELLING of Fort Ruigenhoek is of general importance for the following reasons:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandish Water Line 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 building construction related to military-strategic engineering, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century). b. the competition with increasingly powerful offensive capabilities (19th and 20th centuries).

This is a component dating from around 1870, namely a military service dwelling located outside the fort.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Hollandish Water Line. Also for the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and for the location on the throat side of the fort.

* The component is representative because it is an example of a military service dwelling installed at a defence work.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because the principal form remains intact.