This Wood Watchtower Is Also A Home For Bats

Photography by Koen Mol

NEXT Architects has shared photos of Watchtower Einderheide, a lookout in The Netherlands, that also doubles as a shelter for bats.

Photography by Koen Mol

At a height of 85 feet (26m), there’s a view of the Brabantse Kempen’s wooded area surrounding it.

Photography by Koen Mol

Notches, at different heights and on different sides of the design, provide a view during the climb to the top. The facade consists of laminated larch columns covered with thermally preserved pine.

Photography by Karl Banski

Photography by Karl Banski

Photography by Karl Banski

A spiral staircase leads up to the viewing platform, with two other floors located on the way for people that don’t want to go to the top.

Photography by Karl Banski

Photography by Karl Banski

The tower is not only intended for the view but also, through the use of wood, provides shelter for tree-dwelling bats.

Photography by Karl Banski

A diversity of niches and cavities have been created at several heights in the structure with different types of habitats, such as winter and summer quarters and mating and nesting sites.

Photography by Karl Banski

These hives were specially developed for this project by ecologist Jeroen Mos. The wood not only fits well into the wooded environment, but it also contributes to imitating the natural habitat.

Photography by Karl Banski

The roughness of the wood used to build the watchtower gives the bats grip so they can land and crawl away.

Photography by Karl Banski

Photography by Karl Banski

Here’s a drawing from the architects that shows the design process.

Design: NEXT Architects | Design Team: Michel Schreinemachers, Bart Reuser, Marijn Schenk with Bobby de Graaf, Douwe Strating, Angelos Chouliaris, Sonia Cunha, Vyasa Koe, Monika Popkiewicz | Collaborators: H+N+S Landschapsarchitects, Boskalis, WSP, Mos Ecologisch Advies en Onderzoek, Gemeente Bergeijk, KunstLoc Brabant, Elianne van Elderen (schrijver/dichter), Houthandel Van Dal (leverancier en hoofdaannemer), Reijrink Staalconstructie, Van De Sande (fundering)