All Things Holland

So I couldn't sleep tonight so I thought I write my next blog entry about a place where you could sleep. See what I did there? That's called a 'segway'. I think. Recently MSN had an interesting article entitled '10 unique structures transformed into astonishing homes'. Structure 3 was a Parksite Ambulance Garage in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Here's the description from that article. "This 2,800-square-foot living space was converted in 2008 from an ambulance garage. The Doepel Strijkers team transformed what was a flat space into a multilevel[ed] habitation by creating a dugout in the center. [This] dugout also created room for a second level. The bedrooms are suspended over the sunken kitchen area in a polycarbonate 'light box' with integrated LED lights. The kitchen has custom cupboards. [Orange blocks] on the stairs to the living room act as a seating [area] or tables. A new glass wall looks out to the greenery of a park." If you search Doe...

How would you build a bridge across a 17th century moat that wouldn't take away from the moat's original purpose aesthetically? Why, build a bridge 'in' the moat of course. Click this for Pictures and details RO & AD Architects of the Netherlands recently designed a bridge that 'parts' the waters of a moat surrounding a 17th century Dutch fort. Yes, like Moses from the bible, this bridge appears to split the waters in half allowing you to walk 'through' the waters as the water line is level with the top edge of the walkway. A series of Moats and Fortresses was built over the West Brabant Water Line region of the Netherlands during the 17th century to provide protection from Spain and France. The particular fort Fort de Roovere was too deep to wade across but too shallow to boat. Until now! The bridge begins lying flush with the ground then defends into the slope using treated wood to prevent rot. I looked up Fort de Roovere on the map an it's in ...

Read this . 2 reasons why I clicked on this link and thought about posting it. 1) I follow sports closely and 2) Rotterdam was one of the places I wanted to visit some day. In case you don't have time to read the above article, allow me to summarize. Greg Halman is an outfielder for the Seattle Mariners. This is just further proof that there are more Dutch influences and people around the USA that you would never think. But the story goes; Greg Halman was stabbed to death in Rotterdam early Monday morning. There aren't many details but it seems that Halman's younger brother has been arrested and questioned by police. Greg Halman was playing baseball and running clinics in his native country during the offseason. Here is the official Associated Press Release: Rotterdam Police spokeswoman Patricia Wessels says police were called to a home in the Dutch port city early Monday morning and found Halman bleeding from a stab wound. The officers attempted unsuccessfully to resuscita...