De Hut van Willy

A viewing hut for (amateur) ornithologists, who can engage in bird watching, unnoticed and sheltered, in the company of more than 150 bird species that migrate, breed and sing throughout the four seasons. Blokkersdijk is an artificially created nature reserve managed by Natuurpunt. It was created by preserving and maintaining a section of the natural landscape in an 'unusual' location, squeezed between the Antwerp Port landscape, the Scheldedijk (river Scheldt dike), the E34 and Sint-Anna Forest. It reminded the designers of the layout of English gardens with follies, framed views and the ubiquitous natural and organic presence. The ‘Hut van Willy', named after the current curator of the nature reserve, is a replacement for an old, subsided viewing point. The observation post is located at a bulge in the old dike, near a shallow lake surrounded by a high reed belt, poplar woods and meadows. This modest landmark provides a wide-ranging view of the surroundings, between the industrial landscape and the expressway.

This text is based on the project text provided by the architects.