Structure studios Maat-Ontwerpers and Bart Lens have created a cycle path referred to as Biking By means of the Heathland as a part of a tourism biking community by means of the Belgium province of Limburg.
Positioned within the Hoge Kempen Nationwide Park, the cycle path cuts by means of the Mechelse Heide heathland – one of many largest areas of heathland in Flanders. The mission has been shortlisted within the panorama class at Dezeen Awards 2022.
Constructed for tourism organisation Go to Limburg, the cycle path is 4 kilometres lengthy and features a 300-metre-long wood bridge, which gives panoramic views of the encircling heathland and pine forests.
“This cycle path is the third in a collection of progressive biking tasks which allow the distinctive Limburg landscapes to be skilled by way of the cycle node community,” mentioned chair of Go to Limburg Igor Philtjens. “With this new expertise, we’re demonstrating that Limburg continues to innovate in biking tourism.”
Different biking experiences created within the province embody a 200-metre cycle path that leads cyclists by means of a pond and a 700-metre elevated monitor that enables customers to cycle as much as 10 metres excessive between bushes.
The mission lies throughout the context of a technique referred to as Biking Synergy whereby distinctive biking experiences enable guests to take pleasure in Limburg’s landscapes in a barely totally different means and which supplied an financial relaunch after the closure of automotive producer Ford Genk in 2014.
Structure studios Maat-Ontwerpers and Bart Lens designed the route and its bridge alongside engineering agency Witteveen+Bos to increase Limburg’s biking community, which now attracts greater than three million vacationers annually.
The Hoge Kempen Nationwide Park is a habitat for the graceful snake, a protected species which depends on well-managed heathland. To cut back the impression on wildlife and particularly the graceful snake, no lighting was used throughout the building course of and all works had been discontinued throughout the primary breeding season.
Black asphalt was changed with gray concrete which heats up much less shortly, decreasing the chance of snakes sunbathing on the cycle path.
The 300-metre lengthy biking bridge is the primary function of the mission. Equally to a curler coaster construction, the bridge is made up of interwoven timber columns and beams that cradle the concrete cycle path within the center. In recognition of Limburg’s mining heritage, native pine wooden, which was as soon as planted to fulfil the demand for wooden for the coal mines, was used for the excessive partitions on both aspect of the bridge.
The trail, which regularly ascends, results in a 30-metre plateau with panoramic views of the nationwide park and its huge heathland and pine forests.
To ensure that the bridge to not act as a barrier for wildlife, the foundations had been laid on particular person footings moderately than one lengthy beam to permit small animals emigrate undisturbed.
Biking By means of The Heathland is shortlisted for a Dezeen Award in opposition to tasks together with Little Island park and efficiency venue by Heatherwick Studio and a wilderness backyard and amphitheatre in China by panorama studio Z’scape.
The images is by Frank Resseler.
