The Dutch seaside village of Petten has recently seen a complete refurbishment of its village square. The main eye catchernow is a steel structure resembling the skeleton of a capsized fishing trawler on top of an oval stage. It refers to the trawler that stranded here just off the coast in 2013. The village square’s refurbishment is part of a larger plan to put Petten on the map when it comes to tourism.

This large-scale plan to create an economical impulse for the village has now been largely completed. The coast has been strengthened and a large dune area and wide beach have been created, as well as several pavilions. Plein 1945, as the village square is called, is now the lively heart of the beach village, a place for tourists and locals to come together and relax. Landscape designer Caspar Slijpen designed the entire square, ipv Delft was asked to turn the preliminary design for the stage and ship into a fully engineered final design.

The 4,6 m high steel skeleton comprises of ten curved ribs and a keel. The entire structure has been tilted for it to appear like a capsized trawler partially sunken into the ground. It’s made of composed box girders, which have been painted the colour of red lead paint.

The ship is standing on top of a 20 by 8 m multifunctional oval stage, designed as a wooden ship’s deck. Two well-designed hatches provide access to the technical area underneath the deck, which houses the electrical installations controlling the square’s fountain as well as its water. Part of the square can be flooded and it’s even possible to simulate the local tide. In winter it will be fairly easy to partially turn the square into an ice-skating rink.

The stage will be used for a wide range of events, such as concerts, fashion shows and plays. It also functions as a place to sit. Several wide steps and a ramp ensure the stage is fully accessible. At night, lighting integrated into the decking illuminates the steel ribs.

Both the design and engineering of the stage and ship have come about in close collaboration with the local community.