An Instrument With a View
Netherlands Carillon
Netherlands Carillon
The rehabilitation of this modernist bell tower has renewed a symbol of international gratitude.
Designed by Dutch architect Joost W. C. Boks and completed in 1960, the 127-foot-tall memorial was gifted by the Netherlands to the United States in recognition of aid during and after World War II. The Carillon’s observation deck offers sweeping views of the Washington skyline, and its summer bell concert series is a local favorite.
After more than four decades of service, the steel memorial was showing its age. As part of a design-build team with contractor Asturian/Consigli, we designed a comprehensive rehabilitation that prepares the structure to delight new generations.
A What Now?
A carillon is a building-size musical instrument consisting of at least 23 bells (the Netherlands Carillon has 53) that can be played by a carillonneur using a keyboard or via an automatic mechanism. We have designed restorations of several historic carillons, including the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon at Detroit’s Belle Isle.
Off the Beaten Bath
Situated between Arlington Memorial Cemetery and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, the Netherlands Carillon overlooks the Potomac River and the National Mall. Its observation platform is considered a hidden gem among locals, who enjoy its relative seclusion compared to other nearby memorials.
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Steeling the Show
Uncoated steel and water are a terrible mix to begin with; to make things worse, the plaza on which the Carillon sits was keeping the lower part of the structure continually wet. The design/build team removed the Carillon’s steel surface panels, implemented major structural repairs, and cleaned and coated the panels before reinstalling them. We also regraded the plaza to direct water away from the tower’s base.
