Viewing tower at Vecht river in Dalfsen
Client municipality of Dalfsen
Building contractor Wonders Metaal B.V., Berlicum
Structural engineering Adviesburo Elemans B.V., Oss
For the municipality of Dalfsen, Ateliereen designed a twenty meters high viewing tower that provides a view over the river Vecht. Starting point for the design is a straight rectangular steel structure and staircase, which is covered with wooden slats. From a distance the tower appears to be closed, but from the inside visitors can see the landscape through the wood. On the lower part of the facade there is a bigger distance between the slats than on the upper part. The footprint is therefore modest and transparent, the tower blends perfectly in the forest. Going up, the view is more and more reduced. The density of the wood provokes the curiosity of the visitor. Peeking towards the landscape between the gaps of the wood!
On the platform at a height of 18 meters there is a wide open view over the Vecht. At the top the tower has sloping sides to direct the sight of the visitor towards the river. The high 'back' prevents the disturbance of birds in the adjacent forest.