frank havermans: sea observatory KAPKAR/DW F370

studio frank havermans has designed ‘sea observatory KAPKAR/ DW-F370’ for an area of sand dunes along the coast of the netherlands. the concrete and azobé building is a self-powered vessel which slowly traces the sand-formed hills, mimicking the movement of the tides. the two story structure is outfitted with tracks which imprint a message as the piece moves, yet this tire-drawn note only lasts for a short time before the ocean sweeps it away. inside the observatory, the sea is only visible through a horizontal slit, the roof and railing blocking the lower views, leaving only a vast panorama of the water and sky.

a view from inside of the observatory

the visual concept is a combination of the heavy machinery used to strengthen the coastal defense between the hidden german bunkshoek van holland and den haag, and the industrial landscape of the dunes near the port of rotterdam. see more work by studio frank havermans on his website here.

model construction

view of the beach for which the design is intended 

concept image 

night view of observatory 

the observatory would stand as tall as a two-story home image © jaap janssen

the station offers a constantly changing view  image © jaap janssen

the tires leave temporary messages in the sand as the structure moves image © jaap janssen

view of configuration  image © jaap janssen

elevation diagrams  image © jaap janssen

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