The Hondsbossche en Pettemer Zeewering was reinforced in 2015 with 30 million cubic meters of sand, after which it was renamed to Hondsbossche Duinen.

The principle of ‘building with nature’ has been used to strengthen this formerly weak spot in the Dutch coastline. A sandy and dynamic solution instead of a hardscape approach creates opportunities for ecological development and recreational activities.

By connecting the Schoorl dunes and Pettemer, one of the longest uninterrupted dunescapes in the Netherlands has been created. A place with varied topography, overgrown with native vegetation, with young drifting dunes, wet valleys, and a generous beach attracting visitors from the wider area.

Photography: Jeroen Musch, Jan W.H. Werner, BertKnot

 

Client

Joint venture of Van Oord Dredging and Marine Contractors bv and Boskalis for Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier

Partners

Svašek Hydraullics, Witteveen+Bos, Altenburg & Wymenga ecologisch onderzoek

Awards

Architizer A+ Awards, US | Concepts - Plus-Architecture + Landscape | The New Hondsbossche Dunes, NL, Arie Keppler Prize, NL | Urbanism, Landscape and Planning | The New Hondsbossche Dunes, NL