09. Experiment vs Architecture
In the city the NHL university stands and were I live the part of proud history can be count on one finger. It’s the Oldehove, a not so straight building adopted as one of the eye catchers in Leeuwarden.
A story goes that it was constructed for use as lighthouse warning ships on the Middlesea. In reality the sea wasn’t even reaching the city. The architect drawing it just had no experience with constructing on soft ground. Build in 1529 It was mended to be a copy of a German Saint Vitus church trying to overclass the well constructed Martinitower of Groningen.
The Oldehove was beginning to to sag quickly, which was compensated by inserting kinks making it bend a little. The church never was finished. a pointy roof wouldn’t even fit because it would collapse. Today they have to be careful lauding the bells on special events because it could damage the building by it’s vibrations.
Comparing the Oldehove experiment to the gigantic historical buildings of Istanbul, no it's not even worth it…




Leeuwarden
Oldehove