studio frank havermans erects a blue, industry inspired gate in drachten

the journey, not the destination — south gate

if you happen to be traveling through drachten in the netherlands you might lay eyes upon studio frank havermans‘ contemporary reinterpretation of a city gate. ‘south gate’, or ‘KAPKAR / A7-29 X FT’, recalls the old gates and doors that used to mark the boundary between city and countryside, keeping citizens in and enemies out. however, unlike these structures of the past, south gate is designed to mark the journey, not the destination. the architects explain, ‘commuting, traveling, being on the road on highways is often experienced as a necessity, the goal is to arrive at the destination as quickly as possible. however, south gate marks the journey itself. it attaches itself to the wondrous image of travelers in a hurry or not: where do they come from and where do they go?’

images © rené de wit

at first look, south gate takes on a futuristic form in keeping with frank havermans’ often alien-like architectural portfolio. the gate is in fact informed by the region’s present and historical ship industry as its shape is derived from portal cranes. the design also features a floating element at the top that slowly moves up and down in its own rhythm, far from that of contemporary speeds.

located at one end of a bike and pedestrian tunnel, south gate aims to become part of the route, whether it’s a daily commute or a one-off journey. with no real economic motive for the gate, it’s also a thing of curiosity. ‘what thoughts arise when passersby physically or mentally walk, cycle, or drive underneath it? where does the gate lead to?’ ask the studio.

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project info:

name: KAPKAR / A7-29 X FT | south gate

location: drachten, expressway A7, exit 29, netherlands

design & project management: studio frank havermans
process management: TAAK, amsterdam
client: municipality of smallingerland, TAAK
enginering & construction steel work: SMST, drachten
enginering concrete work: ingenieursbureau boorsma, drachten
groundwork, concrete work: aannemersbedrijf eikelenboom, drachten
coating: veenstra coatings, heegh
material: steel, laquer, worm wheel motion technic