Sustainable wooden bird observatory 'Tide' opened

RAU Architects and partners design unique natural artwork

The fully sustainable, egg-shaped bird observatory at the Haringvliet has been festively opened today. RAU Architects, in collaboration with Ro&Ad Architects and commissioned by the Dream Fund project, designed a giant wooden structure from which the abundance of birds can be beautifully observed. Through the use of sustainable and circular materials and its unique shape, the fully remountable structure offers a true experience to every nature lover.

Residents from the region and stakeholders were invited April 12 through 14 to a sneak preview of the bird observatory, where they were guided through Scheelhoek nature reserve in Stellendam through various excursions. The wooden natural artwork was named Tij, a nod to the tide and of course the egg-shaped design. From the Bird Observatory you have a fantastic view of the special delta nature of the Haringvliet and its wealth of birds. Among others, a colony of thousands of great terns breeds on the islands off the coast of Scheelhoek, which the bird observatory overlooks.

Nature Artwork
The observatory, consisting of reeds, chestnut poles and sand, was designed parametrically to achieve a good relationship between shape, construction, size and peepholes. Local reeds from Scheelhoek nature reserve were used for the cover. Using file-to-factory-Zollinger construction, wooden large spans were created. Used stone baffles were used to create a tunnel to the observatory. Thomas Rau, chief architect of Tij: "Due to its complete remontability, modularity and materialization, it fulfills to the maximum all the starting points for a sustainable structure with circular potential. By building everything in such a way that everything can be taken apart one day without loss of value, we ensure that the ecosystem is minimally burdened. Extra special is the shape of the observatory, after the egg of the great tern. Nature itself produced this shape." Through a hybrid wood-concrete floor, nature lovers can enjoy the impressive view of the nesting islands, the Haringvliet dam and the immediate surroundings. The lower part of the egg is made of Accoya wood beams. This part of the observatory can be submerged during high river discharges. The part that remains above water is constructed of pine.

Dream Fund project
The bird observatory is one of the icons of the Haringvliet Dream Fund Project in which six nature organizations, with support from the National Postcode Lottery's Dream Fund, have been working on an ambitious nature restoration plan and recreational boost for the Haringvliet since 2015. The six nature organizations are ARK Natuurontwikkeling, Natuurmonumenten, Staatsbosbeheer, Sportvisserij Nederland, Vogelbescherming Nederland and the World Wildlife Fund.

Future
With the opening of the bird observatory, the nature organizations are rounding off the Dream Fund project, but will continue to join forces for the Haringvliet even after the Dream Fund period. The six cooperating nature organizations still see many opportunities for further restoring the dynamics in and around the Haringvliet and are eager to build on the fine foundation they have been able to lay with the region in recent years.