Wind shield Calandkanaal (1985)

Frans de Wit

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photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

photo Jannes Linders

The artwork

To protect ships en route to the Maasvlakte from gusts of wind, a nearly two-kilometer-long ‘windbreak’ was designed by municipal architect Maarten Struijs and sculptor and landscape architect Frans de Wit. Built between 1983 and 1985, the windbreak was then the largest in the world. It consists of a long series of imposing semicircular concrete elements 25 meters high and it is 25% wind permeable. Located at the level of the Caland Bridge, the canal wall ensures that shipping can take place in wind forces higher than 5. Without protection, ships are in danger of colliding with the bridge or quay.

Year
1985
Location
Neckarweg 22
Dimensions
2 km lang, 25 meter hoog
Material
concrete
Client
Havenbedrijf Rotterdam
Owner
Havenbedrijf Rotterdam
Frans de Wit

Frans de Wit

Frans de Wit (Leiden, the Netherlands, 1942 – 2004) was a sculptor and landscape artist.

‘Frans de Wit was one of the best Dutch sculptors of his generation, along with Carel Visser, David van de Kop, Cornelius Rogge and Lon Pennock. He built an impressive oeuvre, which included commissions for sculptures in public spaces. For Frans de Wit, the place was the starting point for such sculptures. The dimensions ensured that the works of art were in balance with man, nature and surroundings. De Wit chose a variety of materials. It was characteristic of him that he worked these materials with his own hands – and with tools he designed himself. This working largely determined the image; it grew during the process of creation. Such projects sometimes took years to complete.’ From a lecture by art historian Jetteke Bolten Rempt.

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