With the unveiling of the first “Spiegelsteen” (Mirror Stone) in the dike, Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, has launched the Icoon Afsluitdijk project in Breezanddijk.
Daan Roosegaarde, a Dutch artist and innovator, and his team of designers, technicians and developers unveiled the designs which from this and next year on will add to the iconic value of the dike as a global showcase of Dutch Design, hydraulic engineering and innovation.
Rijkswaterstaat is improving the Afsluitdijk over the years ahead so that in the future too it will continue to protect the Netherlands from the powerful forces of water.
Minister Schultz said: “ Cornelis Lely’s innovative design has protected our country for more than 80 years. The Afsluitdijk is much more than an unending separation of salty and fresh water. The Afsluitdijk stands for daring, action and innovative engineering.”
“In this project, we are building on that tradition and, in terms of flood risk management, sustainability and innovation, the Afsluitdijk will thus remain a living legend today, tomorrow and in the distant future.”
Studio Roosegaarde will enhance the cultural and historical value of the dike and make new links between people and the landscape.
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