Wood is the heart of the harbour. The very first ships were made of wood. When a ship went to sea bushels of wood were set fire to for a beacon. There are no less than 300 mooring-posts in the Delfzijl docks. Basalt until recently was the most important material to curb the movement of the sea. It is literally from the deep past and becoming a scarce product. Constructions with basalt are very labour-intensive. Consequently the use of basalt in the future will not be frequent. The mooring-posts in all their weathered beauty are visible above the surface and connect people in all walks of work.

The basalt circle creates a visually heavy aspect and evokes the image of a dyke. The weeds give life to the image. The elements of water (sea) and fire (beacon) are indissolubly tied up with the entire concept. The movement and colour of these elements have been stylized in the shapes of 12 suspended conical tubes. The intersection of these warm and cold colours points at the Eems dock.

MILEWOOD
the point where past and present coincide

design for a courtyard garden
Groningen Seaports at Delfzijl

measurements
591 inch x 15.7 inch x 15.7 inch / diameter basalt circle 118 inch / length conical tubes 315 inch / height of building 709 inch

material
mooring-post from the Balkenhaven [appr. 140 years old and 6614 pounds in weight] / basalt from the sea-defence wall / 12 polyester tubes with stainless steel caps / milled-in stainless steel element with stainless steel shackles and steel cables

desiderata
the object expresses the relation between the sea and two ports, their history and future / it is weather and public resistant / does not cause noise pollution / does not interfere with the transparency of the building / leaves room for a window-cleaning installation / connects the four floors