cepezed architects proposes to reuse old dutch bridge for zero-energy housing

cepezed architects proposes the restoration and reuse of lekbrug, an old arch bridge spanning the river lek near vianen, the netherlands, transforming it into zero-energy apartments and a pavilion. as part of the national road plan, the bridge was completed in 1936 but has been out of use since 2004, when the directly adjoining jan blanken-bridges with a much higher capacity where constructed. instead of tearing it down, the delft-based architects have provided a plan for its total redevelopment based on sustainability, circularity, and uniqueness.

all images courtesy of cepezed architects

together with expericon, hollandia infra, mammoet and the IV-group, cepezed architects explored the possibilities for a total redevelopment and integral reuse of the abandoned structure. their proposal sees the ramps of the bridge used for zero-energy apartments, while the actual bridge itself will house a catering and conference pavilion. the restoration plan preserves valuable industrial and infrastructural heritage while putting to use thousands of tons of largely rest materials that would otherwise be thrown away. the apartments and pavilion themselves are efficiently constructed with a minimum use of lightweight materials, and are technically fully equipped for all the specific challenges of the location.

‘with the inevitable further modernization, beautiful old constructions on a variety of locations frequently go out of use,’ notes cepezed director jan pesman. ‘with smart solutions, we can often think up and design unique new destinations for them. we really love such challenges; reuse provides the historical settings with new layers of meaning and the new functions with an enormous added value. moreover, it is plainly sustainable, of course.’ though the proposal did not pass the objections of the municipalities involved, the consortium with cepezed hopes the plan can still be used as reference for similar opportunities on other locations.