Militair wachtgebouw, Biltsestraatweg 160

English translation

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Description

Cluster 38. Fort Keeper's Dwelling.

NEW DUTCH WATERLINE

Introduction

FORT KEEPER'S DWELLING on the northern part of Fort De Bilt, diagonally opposite the entrance at Biltsestraatweg. Because most forts and other defensive works (located outside built-up areas) - when there was no mobilisation or exercises - had no garrison of military personnel, in many cases there was a separate dwelling or other type of accommodation for a manager or watchman. Sometimes such a dwelling also had another function, such as that of a bridge or lock keeper's dwelling. With regard to the location of a watchman's dwelling, there are no clear standards; the building materials used vary, but usually consist of brick or wood. Generally the dwellings are located on the gorge side of the forts, sometimes inside them, sometimes outside the moat. The location of this dwelling - within the fort - not on the gorge side, but by the road - is relatively rare and also occurs at the small (likewise consisting of two halves) Work at the Spoel. In the roof slope on the north side several Velux windows. The fort keeper's dwelling plays a role in the 'peace education' of the fort and the interior has been adapted to this purpose.

Description

FORT KEEPER'S DWELLING at Fort De Bilt, located on the north side of Biltsestraatweg. The fort keeper's dwelling was built around 1930 as a direct result of extending the street through the fort. The dwelling has a rectangular floor plan and consists of one storey with attic under a gabled roof with the ridge parallel to the road. The roof is covered with red fired tiles. The facades are constructed in brickwork. In the facade facing the road four openings, placed asymmetrically: on the left a window, to the right of this an access opening with double doors - partly glazed with glazing bars; to the right of this a window comparable to the first and on the far right a large window; all windows with fanlights.

Valuation

The FORT KEEPER'S DWELLING on the northern part of Fort De Bilt is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Dutch Waterline 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 for approximately 125 years.

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

This concerns a component from the Interwar period, presumably from around 1930, namely a one-storey, brick military service dwelling.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Dutch Waterline. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and because of the special location along the intersection of the fort.

* The component is representative because it is an example of a fort keeper's dwelling installed relatively late on a defensive work.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because the main form, structural characteristics and structural detailing have remained intact.