New land - a familiar concept in the Netherlands. It isn't often that it gets handed to us on a plate. But between Den Helder and the island of Texel lies land for the taking. Here, the vigorously dynamic effects of wind, sea currents and the attendant movement of sand have formed a sand bar big enough to be described as an island. Officially christened Noorderhaaks, it is popularly known by the more graphic name Razende Bol.

Conflicting ideas about what to do with it could threaten this island's very existence. To compound matters, the south-west coast of Texel holds as the most expensive stretch of coast in the Netherlands. Every year vast deposits of sand are added at enormous expense to protect it. There must be a better solution. The aim of my final-year project, therefore, is to develop the aspects of coastal protection, ecological development and recreation in parallel. I want to show that the 'gift' off the coast of Texel can be deployed for a more natural way of protecting the coast. In addition, by making this unique corner of the Netherlands accessible, more people can experience the sense of freedom on offer here without nature having to pay the price. Benefit and necessity link arms.

The brief consists of developing a survival strategy for Razende Bol in such a way that the sand bar contributes to protecting the Texel coastline as well as bringing out and sustaining the local qualities. All this is to be achieved by rescuing Razende Bol from its isolation in a continual process of change.

I propose meeting the erosion of the coast of Texel with a coastal morphological intervention. A 'cutter suction dredger' is to dig a gully in the northern spit of Razende Bol, splitting the island in two. The sand freed by this operation is then laid alongside the new gully, to the north of Razende Bol, giving rise to a new, 15 metre tall island I shall call Aanlander. Whereas Razende Bol enjoys a relatively stable position, this new island will shift very slowly towards the coast of Texel. The top will be levelled off by wind erosion. After 20 years or so, Aanlander will have been grafted on to the Texel coast. This intervention will rule out the need for expensive and artificial supplies of sand.

This coastal morphological intervention picks up on the received dynamics on site. The new island will change shape and alignment through the effects of wind and water and ultimately disappear altogether. The process may very likely repeat itself after 20 years or so as a new northern spit will develop. This intervention creates new land that is then exposed to and shaped by powerful natural forces. Man's influence ends after the intervention. This design exploits and enhances the natural dynamics, opening up new opportunities for ecological development as well as recreational potential. Judiciously placed injections can give a new lease of life to both Den Helder and Texel as well incorporating Razende Bol into the recreational network. It is possible to visit the island and experience it first-hand - a marvellous prospect that has been there for us on the horizon for so long!

Place of education: AvB Amsterdam
Specialization: landscape architecture
Tutors: Lodewijk van Nieuwenhuijze, Jan de Graaf, Joost van Hezewijk