korthtielens architects

The ring road around Amsterdam, the A10, crosses the Schinkel water on the south side. A large ensemble of houseboats lies on the wide water directly adjacent to the road. To protect these houseboats from the increased noise from the A10, noise barriers had to be installed. The viaduct over the water can be opened, so the sound barrier on the viaduct also had to be openable. A cassette system provided the solution. The sound barrier is made up of metal frames with glass panels filled in. The glass panels are printed with an elongated image of the original bridge edge, an echo from the past. The image also makes the screen semi-transparent. For the surroundings the screen protects against noise but also disturbs the view.