Bijgebouwen, Biltsestraatweg 225 D H

English translation

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Description

Cluster 38. Bombproof barracks B 2.

NIEUWE HOLLANDSE WATERLINIE

Introduction

BOMBPROOF BARRACKS B 2, as bombproof accommodation with facilities for personnel and their equipment and located on the southern half of the fort, directly beside the Biltsestraatweg. Barracks B 2 formed part until 1930 of the centrally located barracks B, which was in total approximately four times larger and was partially dismantled around that time to allow the Biltsestraatweg to pass through the fort. A barracks is a residential building for soldiers and their equipment. It was the French who introduced, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the system of accommodating soldiers in barracks; from that time barracks became part of forts, but alongside this many were also constructed as separate buildings within or outside urban areas (cities). The barracks buildings situated within 19th-century forts and other works were usually constructed as bombproof accommodation, that is to say they were designed to withstand enemy fire. Depending on the period of construction—and thus the expected impact force of projectiles—the term 'bombproof buildings' was used when they were considered capable of withstanding a pre-defined number of impacts from heavy calibre weapons. As building material, initially metres-thick masonry was used and later (reinforced) concrete, while as covering for the roof and the front side(s) moreover an earthing was carried out. The barracks not located within forts or other works were buildings erected and fitted either specially or not specially for that purpose with accommodation for the (permanent) quartering of military personnel, often also provided with other military facilities, such as parade grounds.

Description

BOMBPROOF BARRACKS B 2 (1875-1877 / c. 1930), erected in fine masonry and furnished on top and on frontal sides and flanks with heavy earth covering. Only the facade on the gorge side is visible. At the time of the widening and extension of the road through the fort, the barracks was divided into two. As a result Barracks B 2 and Barracks B 1 are each other's counterparts; both measure approximately 30 x 12 m. The visible facade ends on either side in a sloping retaining wall and comprises rhythmic articulation through a series of accesses flanked by arched window openings on both sides, all openings closed with iron shutters / doors. On the roof several brick smoke and/or ventilation channels.

Valuation

The BOMBPROOF BARRACKS B 2 of Fort De Bilt 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 from 1815 realized by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently by others strengthened and improved over approximately 125 years.

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

This concerns a component that originally dates from around 1875, but which around 1930 was adapted to new traffic infrastructure developments by division into a northern and a southern part, and which is an example of an earth-covered, brick, bombproof structure that originally served as accommodation for personnel and equipment.

* 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 in appearance displays the characteristics that emphasize the contemporary and the defensive purpose modified around 1930. It represents rarity values because it can serve as an example of a major, reductive adaptation that underwent in the last operational / functional phase of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because the structure—except for the modification around 1930—is in virtually the condition it was in around 1880 and because it still retains various authentic components and details.