Circular Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners
21/11/2020.
[Hechtel-Eksel] Belgium
metalocus, MARÍA ANASTIDAS
metalocus, MARÍA ANASTIDAS
In Pijnven you can cycle through the trees. Belgian landscape architecture studios BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners designed a circular cycling experience in Hechtel-Eksel, at Pijnven in the Bosland forest, at junction 272 of the cycle route network, in the province of Limburg.
Built for tourism organisation Visit Limburg in the Pijnven nature reserve, the structure is a double circle that is 100 metres in diameter.
Cycling through a forest environment is a special experience for the senses. This cycle path safely takes you into higher realms. Quite literally - because you cycle between the trees. You can see, feel and smell nature’s splendour.
Built for tourism organisation Visit Limburg in the Pijnven nature reserve, the structure is a double circle that is 100 metres in diameter.
Cycling through a forest environment is a special experience for the senses. This cycle path safely takes you into higher realms. Quite literally - because you cycle between the trees. You can see, feel and smell nature’s splendour.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Photograph by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Site plan. Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Image by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Site plan. Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Image by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Plan. Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Image by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Section. Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Image by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Stop. Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Image by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
Axonometric. Cycling Through the Trees by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners. Image by Toerisme Limburg / Visit Limburg.
As its name suggests, Cycling Through The Trees is a cycle path in harmony with the natural environment, designed by BuroLandschap and De Gregorio & Partners.
The path gradually rises to a height of 10 metres and is 700 metres long with a diameter of 100 metres, where cyclists can ride amongst the treetops, before descending back to the forest floor.
The Corten steel pillars are situated at varying intervals of 1, 2 and 3 metres apart and symbolise the straight trunks of the fir trees, ensuring that the structure fits beautifully into the environment.
The path gradually rises to a height of 10 metres and is 700 metres long with a diameter of 100 metres, where cyclists can ride amongst the treetops, before descending back to the forest floor.
The Corten steel pillars are situated at varying intervals of 1, 2 and 3 metres apart and symbolise the straight trunks of the fir trees, ensuring that the structure fits beautifully into the environment.
Project description by BuroLandschap, De Gregorio & Partners
The new cycle path through the trees adds a unique experience to the Limburg cycle route network. Cyclists ride 700 metres along a cycle bridge – a double circle 100 metres in diameter – that rises gradually (gradient of 3-4 %) to a height of 10 metres before then descending again at the same gradient, giving cyclists and walkers a sensational 360° experience.
For the sake of safety, cycling is one-way and there is a subtle wire net with a handrail. The new cycle bridge sits on a structure of 449 unique columns made of weathered steel to symbolize the trunks of the pine trees, so the entire structure blends beautifully into its environment.
Respect for flora and fauna was key to both the design of the cycle bridge and its construction in the forest. The project was implemented with nature as a companion and constitutes a logical link in the Bosland ‘Cycle of Life’.
The trees that were felled to clear the space for the cycle path have been given a new life at the start of the route in the form of an information pavilion made from the stacked recycled tree trunks. Moreover, the coniferous trees are still represented in a symbolic way: the new cycle bridge sits on a structure of 449 unique columns made of weathered steel to symbolize the trunks of the fir trees, so the entire structure blends beautifully into its environment.
More information
Landscapes Architects
BuroLandschap, De Gregorio & Partners. Lead Landscape Architects.- Burolandschap.
Collaborators
Engineering.- Smulders nv.
Consultants.- BAS bvba (structural stability).
Collaborators.-MOLS (road works).
Client
Visit Limburg.
Area
5,000 m².
Dates
2017 - 2019.
Manufacturers
Jakob, Vectorworks, Bolidt, thyssenkrupp, AVEVA Bocad, Cévan, SCIA.
Photography
Pieter Daenen. BuroLandschap
BuroLandschap. Pieter Daenen, Landscape Architect, is founder and manager of BuroLandschap bvba. In 2008 Pieter started the firm “Pieter Daenen Landscape Architecture” to change its name in 2014, namely BuroLandschap. Pieter mainly takes care of the creative thinking and drawing.
Jasper Goffin, Master in Geography, joined the company in 2015. Previously, he worked for 6 years as a project manager at the Agency for Nature and Forests. Jasper specializes in ecosystems ranging from soils and water to fauna and flora. In addition, he has a strong interest in architecture and engineering, in which he has already gained a lot of experience.
In 2016, the BuroLandschap team was reinforced with engineer Ivo Brouns. Ivo is an engineer in construction and is involved in the technical implementation of the environmental plans, ranging from the preparation of technical drawings to the preparation of implementation files.
Sebastiaan Thys, urban landscape architect, is the latest addition to the team. His talents broaden the scope of BuroLandschap.
Jasper Goffin, Master in Geography, joined the company in 2015. Previously, he worked for 6 years as a project manager at the Agency for Nature and Forests. Jasper specializes in ecosystems ranging from soils and water to fauna and flora. In addition, he has a strong interest in architecture and engineering, in which he has already gained a lot of experience.
In 2016, the BuroLandschap team was reinforced with engineer Ivo Brouns. Ivo is an engineer in construction and is involved in the technical implementation of the environmental plans, ranging from the preparation of technical drawings to the preparation of implementation files.
Sebastiaan Thys, urban landscape architect, is the latest addition to the team. His talents broaden the scope of BuroLandschap.
