Invisible Parking Fortification Vechten

A Unique and Sustainable Car Park in the Dutch Waterline

This is a unique car park designed by Marcel Eekhout and Paul de Kort that blends seamlessly into its surroundings. The parking lot, which can accommodate 250 cars, touring cars, shuttle buses, and 100 bicycles, appears invisible when there are no vehicles present. Instead, it resembles a meadow with concrete anti-tank elements and stork nests on high poles. However, when cars are parked, the fortification and concrete bunkers become visible, creating a striking visual effect.

The design of this car park is inspired by the invisible military landscapes of the Dutch Waterline, a historic defense system. The goal was to create a parking space that does not look like a parking space, while still expressing the military landscape. The use of concrete anti-tank elements and stork nests as design elements adds to the unique character of the project.

One of the key features of this design is its sustainability. The parking lot is made using Cradle to Cradle principles, with materials that can be easily reused. The concrete used in the construction is made from re-used old concrete and concrete without cement. The lighting is subtle, with an amber color and LED technology, ensuring that the bats that live in the fortification are not disturbed.

The interaction with the car park is straightforward. The entrance path is used for all traffic, with an entrance element and barrier. Shuttle buses and touring cars stay in a designated area, while individual cars drive to the long-stay parking meadow. From there, a footpath leads through the meadow with concrete bunkers to the entrance of the fortification Vechten.

The design work for this project started in January 2011, and the parking lot was opened in April 2013. Located along the A12 near Utrecht in Holland, this car park is not only functional but also adds to the overall experience of visiting the national museum of the Dutch Waterline.

This innovative design has been recognized with the Iron A' Design Award in the Landscape Planning and Garden Design category in 2013. The award acknowledges the practicality, innovation, and sustainability of the design, as well as its contribution to a better world.