studio frank havermans' homage latches onto namesake viaduct of george stephenson

this sharp ‘light beacon,’ KAPKAR / LB2-SV is studio frank havermans‘ latest constructive achievement for the municipality of leeuwarden, in the netherlands. it grasps parasitically onto the viaduct named after english engineer, george stephenson (1781 -1848). stephenson invented the first usable steam locomotive and the first, safe-to-use mining lamp. 

all images by rené de wit, (unless otherwise stated)

the three elements that informed this design were: the mine lamp, the desire for a constructive challenge, and the space found between the deck of the viaduct and the road, below. from these findings, came a new beacon of light. ‘to make the location more challenging,’ frank havermans says, ‘I designed a new sheet pile branch. this disk disconnects from the viaduct but is connected to it. the light beacon clamps itself on top of this disk, a bird on a shoulder, and leans four meters lower against it. this is the center of gravity in the construction.’

 
image by studio frank havermans

project info:

design: studio frank havermans
manufacturing: helldörfer arnhem, frank havermans, koos schaart
client: municipality of leeuwarden
photography: rené de wit
collage: studio frank havermans