lehner gunther

The MainGate

Project type: Realisation
Commissioned by: St. Mainport en Groen and Recreatieschap Noord-Holland
Location: Schiphol, the Netherlands
Date: 2010-2011

The MainGate is situated on the top of an artificial hill, the so-called Big Spotters’ Hill, close by the runways of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The arch’s construction works as a landmark and is visible from a large distance – from the motorways A4 and A9, and from departing and arriving airplanes.

The arch is publicly accessible and has a recreational function as a viewing platform. It Marks the beginning of the recreational area Groene Weelde (Rich Green), but can bes een as a welcoming gate for a larger area. At night the silhouette of the gate is illuminated with LED lighting for which the integrated PV cells collect energy in daytime.

The materials of the Construction are standard profiles and steel fences. The gate’s parts are prefabricated to a high degree and are assembled within a short period of time. They can easily and completely be dismounted and re-used. In the long term alternatively, a restaurant can be integrated within the structure in its current place.