Bleekerseiland

Year

2024

Location

Meppel

Client

Municipality of Meppel

Bleekerseiland is the result of a collaboration between Superuse and Blade–Made.

The Municipality of Meppel approached Superuse to come up with a counterproposal for an existing sketch design for Bleekerseiland. The municipality was interested to learn whether repurposed wind turbine blades could replace the proposed custom-made concrete elements.

Leveraging material reuse to its highest potential.

Superuse proposed an alternative urban design for the island, focused on leveraging material reuse to its highest potential. A total of two whole E40 blades (19,1m) and two additional tips have been transformed into multiple objects ranging from stepping stones, planters and benches.

The tips of Enercon blades, transformed into benches, provide a nice place to sit along the water. The larger segments of the blade are used as decorative borders for the flowerbeds, providing another place to sit. The smaller segments are now playful stepping stones with different heights, shaped like a sundial.

In satellite view, you can imagine the white sheets still lying on the grass to dry.

‘Bleekerseiland’, Dutch for ‘Bleachers Island’, refers to the old textile bleaching factory that was situated at this exact location. At that time, the sheets were laid out on the field to dry. The rectangular shapes alongside the flowerbeds reference the historic function of Bleekerseiland; in satellite view, you can imagine the white sheets still lying on the grass.

Repurposed concrete sheet piling is used to create the concrete terraces along the water. The only concession we made here was to paint the concrete white. These white surfaces are also a nod to the past, while providing a crisp contrast with the greenery.

Blade–Made Project Page