Batbridge by NEXT Architects
As the only bridge in the world specifically designed to house bats, the Batbridge by NEXT Architects is an eco-friendly bridge that integrates the needs of the wildlife and local residents of the village it is located in, Monster in South Holland. It was formed as part of a waterway project called Poelzone, which aims to transform the banks of the Voltwatering river into recreational areas whilst providing habitats for the indigenous wildlife. Curving over the river, spanning 70m long and 7m wide, the bridge cuts through an important natural pathway used by local bats. To counteract this impact the bridge was designed to incorporate a number of bat roosts as well as providing access to the village for pedestrians and cyclists.
A simple palette of materials - brick, wood and concrete - are utlised in the design of the bridge to house bat roosts for different seasons. For example one side of the bridge is brick and provides a cooler summer roost, and the other side of the bridge is made up of a slatted timber balustrade, which can be used for perching. The main structure of the bridge is concrete, to improve the thermal mass in order to provide a suitable roost for winter hibernation, and is has a number of large internal cavities.
This is an inspiring piece of architecture that proves that incorporating ecology into a project does not have to be to the detriment of design. It would be interesting to see if this ideology of including a specifically designed wildlife habitat could be applied to residential dwellings.
Reference:
Dezeen (2015) Batbridge by NEXT Architects [online] Available from: http://www.dezeen.com/2015/10/26/ecological-bat-bridge-next-architects-completed-habitation-holland-monster/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+Dezeen+Digest&utm_content=Daily+Dezeen+Digest+CID_bb255166bcd4382f9f0aee7a099dac88&utm_source=Dezeen+Mail&utm_term=NEXT+Architects+completes+bat-friendly+bridge+in+the+Netherlands [Accessed 25th Ocotber 2015]