this sharp ‘light beacon,’ KAPKAR / LB2-SV is studio frank havermans‘ latest constructive achievement for the municipality of leeuwarden, in the netherlands. it grasps parasitically onto the viaduct named after english engineer, george stephenson (1781 -1848). stephenson invented the first usable steam locomotive and the first, safe-to-use mining lamp. 

frank havermans george stephenson
all images by rené de wit, (unless otherwise stated)

 

 

the three elements that informed this design were: the mine lamp, the desire for a constructive challenge, and the space found between the deck of the viaduct and the road, below. from these findings, came a new beacon of light. ‘to make the location more challenging,’ frank havermans says, ‘I designed a new sheet pile branch. this disk disconnects from the viaduct but is connected to it. the light beacon clamps itself on top of this disk, a bird on a shoulder, and leans four meters lower against it. this is the center of gravity in the construction.’

frank havermans george stephenson

studio frank havermans' homage latches onto namesake viaduct of george stephenson
frank havermans george stephenson frank havermans george stephenson  frank havermans george stephenson frank havermans george stephenson frank havermans george stephenson
image by studio frank havermans

 

 

project info:

 

design: studio frank havermans
manufacturing: helldörfer arnhem, frank havermans, koos schaart
client: municipality of leeuwarden
photography: rené de wit
collage: studio frank havermans