Johan Konz
Cathedral of Steam
The Woudagemaal, being the largest steam pumping station in the world, impresses. The huge machine hall are four steam engines, coupled with four powerful flywheels, which are still operational. The steam engines and flywheels driving eight round centrifugal pumps (also called Jaffa pumps) that move about 6 million cubic meters of water per day.
See website: www.woudagemaal.nl/
Thank you very much for your visits, faves, and kind comments.
CATHEDRAL OF STEAM
The special brick building is sleek and sober of character. The modest facade ornamentation and the horizontal wall classification of the Woudagemaal are typical characteristics. The interior of the machine hall - looks like a cathedral - obvious bears features of the Berlage's rationalism, such as steel trusses, the use of stone, oak, sophisticated colors and lots of trimmings.
HISTORY
The Woudagemaal was built at the end of the steam era. In the 19th and the first half of the 20th century large parts of Friesland were under water during the winters. To counteract flooding in Friesland it was decided in 1913 to build a pumping station at Lemmer.
The Woudagemaal was opened in 1920 and has still today - as largest working steam pumping station worldwide - a practical function in the Frisian water management.
STEAM, WATER AND ARCHITECTURE
The pumping station is named after ir. Dirk Frederik Wouda (1880-1961), then chief engineer of the Provincial Public Works. He was responsible for the design and the construction of the pumping station in the style of the Amsterdam School. The calculations of the mechanical installations were done by Ir. Wouda from the Technical University of Delft, while he was assisted by Ir. JC Dijxhoorn.
MONUMENT ON STEAM
Until and including the construction of the electric Hooglandgemaal in Stavoren (1966) the Woudagemaal was used to control the level of the Frisian waters. The pumping station is now only in action at extremely high water.
The whole of the structural building and the technical installation of the Woudagemaal is a protected monument. Since 1977 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cathedral of Steam
The Woudagemaal, being the largest steam pumping station in the world, impresses. The huge machine hall are four steam engines, coupled with four powerful flywheels, which are still operational. The steam engines and flywheels driving eight round centrifugal pumps (also called Jaffa pumps) that move about 6 million cubic meters of water per day.
See website: www.woudagemaal.nl/
Thank you very much for your visits, faves, and kind comments.
CATHEDRAL OF STEAM
The special brick building is sleek and sober of character. The modest facade ornamentation and the horizontal wall classification of the Woudagemaal are typical characteristics. The interior of the machine hall - looks like a cathedral - obvious bears features of the Berlage's rationalism, such as steel trusses, the use of stone, oak, sophisticated colors and lots of trimmings.
HISTORY
The Woudagemaal was built at the end of the steam era. In the 19th and the first half of the 20th century large parts of Friesland were under water during the winters. To counteract flooding in Friesland it was decided in 1913 to build a pumping station at Lemmer.
The Woudagemaal was opened in 1920 and has still today - as largest working steam pumping station worldwide - a practical function in the Frisian water management.
STEAM, WATER AND ARCHITECTURE
The pumping station is named after ir. Dirk Frederik Wouda (1880-1961), then chief engineer of the Provincial Public Works. He was responsible for the design and the construction of the pumping station in the style of the Amsterdam School. The calculations of the mechanical installations were done by Ir. Wouda from the Technical University of Delft, while he was assisted by Ir. JC Dijxhoorn.
MONUMENT ON STEAM
Until and including the construction of the electric Hooglandgemaal in Stavoren (1966) the Woudagemaal was used to control the level of the Frisian waters. The pumping station is now only in action at extremely high water.
The whole of the structural building and the technical installation of the Woudagemaal is a protected monument. Since 1977 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.