3 bridges City Beach in Hoorn shortlisted for the Arie Keppler prize 2026 (NL)

Ney & Partners is pleased to announce that the three bridges in Hoorn have been nominated for the Arie Keppler Prijs, a biennial award celebrating inspiring projects that enhance landscape design and combine design, execution and societal relevance in the living environment. Out of 104 entries, 11 projects are now in the running for the award. The public can also vote for the audience award among all submitted projects.

The three bridges – a road bridge, a bicycle bridge and a footbridge – located at the Markermeer connect the historic dyke ‘Westfriese Omringdijk’ with the modern ‘Oeverdijk’. The bridges are designed as a form of land art. Their characteristic shape is inspired by the cross-section of a traditional Dutch dyke, but inverted. The transition between the walls creates an immersive experience, as a passage through a dune. The walls have a coarse wooden texture that helps the bridge blend into the landscape. Inside the shell, a boardwalk, native vegetation, and rustic fencing complete the setting. The bridges reach out from the beachside and just barely avoid touching the historical dyke. This way, the monumental dyke can still be experienced and is left untouched as much as possible.

The bridges feel naturally embedded in the landscape and give the area a recognisable identity. The bicycle bridge, in particular, invites passers-by to pause, sit down and enjoy the view, becoming an integral part of their route. The project shows how design, engineering and respect for a delicate natural and historical setting can create a new way of experiencing the area.

The bridges are part of the bigger Markermeerdijken project, which uniquely combines water safety with recreation in the form of the new Hoorn city beach. On 18 September, the winner of the Arie Keppler prize 2026 will be announced.

Copyright image: Jane van Raaphorst