荷兰2015年新建了一座为行人和蝙蝠而设计的桥。这座蝙蝠桥横跨荷兰怪兽镇Vlotwatering河。这个主意是由阿姆斯特丹市外运营工作室的Next建筑公司提出的，Next设计了一座长约48.8米的桥，该桥在满足行人和骑自行车的人的需要的同时，还能以三种不同的方式为蝙蝠提供庇护之所。
从上面或者路面看，Vlotwatering桥是一座由红砖和木头做成的弯曲且雅致的建筑。但靠近看，你会发现它承担双重任务的奇妙所在：这些板条之间的宽度使得蝙蝠能轻易进入。在桥内，蝙蝠能找到三种类型的栖息地：寒冷的冬天它们能躲在封闭的区域，春天它们能藏在缝隙里，夏天它们能倒挂在桥下。封闭的区域由较厚的混凝土板做成。
负责Next项目的合伙人Bart Reuser表示这个想法来自点缀在海岸线上的二战时期建立的地堡。它们那巨大的混凝土墙能很好地隔绝冷空气，蝙蝠能在里面休养生息。Reuser将它们比作一座具有历史意义的教堂上的厚砖块。他说：“夏天教堂里很凉爽，冬天里面很温暖——这并不是因为它被加热了，而是因为它那结实的墙。”
蝙蝠倾向于在顶楼定居，当热气从地下传过来时，顶楼会变得非常温暖。但由于荷兰政府加强节能的政策，这种情况变得越来越少，蝙蝠能栖息的地方也随之变少。为了确保怪兽镇的蝙蝠能够得到合适的避难所，Reuser和他的团队咨询了荷兰哺乳动物协会的蝙蝠专家Herman Limpens。他提供的意见包括加宽板条之间的距离，在确保蝙蝠出入同时确保板条的宽度能够防止掠食者侵入；他还要求混凝土的平均厚度为74.93厘米。
如果你觉得花费这么多时间和金钱来保护这种恐怖的夜行动物不划算，那么你应该想想：蝙蝠会吃掉大量昆虫，其中有些昆虫对庄稼、动物和人类有害。如果没有安全的地方栖息，蝙蝠就没办法生存和定居。如果蝙蝠数量太少那么你就有可能受到害虫的骚扰。为蝙蝠留下生存空间并不仅仅是尊重动物而已，当地居民也可以受益。因此怪兽镇选择在桥里给蝙蝠留下生存空间。
德州奥斯汀的议会大道桥也是这种生态基础建设的一个著名案例。它是约150万只墨西哥无尾蝙蝠的栖息地，国际蝙蝠保护组织估计它们每晚要吃4536-9072公斤重的昆虫。没错，这个对蝙蝠友好的桥梁最终能给人类回报，它吃掉的虫子能以吨计。
建筑师：NEXT architects
地点：荷兰，Monster2681
项目年份：2015
摄影：Raymond Rutting, Courtesy of NEXT architects
联系人：Ir. B. Reuser
结构顾问：Pieters Bouwtechniek Haarlem (Frank Meijer)
费用顾问：Laan Bouwkostenadvies (Theo Laan)
生态顾问：Zoogdiervereniging (Herman Limpens)
承包商：Kroes aannemingsbedrijf B.V.
设计团队：Bart Reuser, Marijn Schenk, Michel Schreinemachers, Jurriaan Hillerstr?m, Sylvia Hendriks, Luuc Sonke, Anne Hilgers, Anna Korzeniowska
The Vlotwateringbrug or popularly ‘batbridge’ has opened for the public in the beginning of October. The bridge has three specific components that provide roost for several bat species. At the north side the abutment functions as a winter stay. The deck and the brick balustrade accommodate stays for bats during the summer.
The bridge design is intended to constitute the ideal habitat for various species of bats, aiming to grow a large colony. “A textbook example of how a functional object can at the same time serve nature,” says bat-expert Marcel Schillemans from the Mammal Society.
The project is located along a flight route of several bat species. To optimize the suitability of the bridge for bats, the structure is made out of concrete. The mass of the concrete provides a stable and pleasant climate. The underside of the bridge is provided with entrance slots. The openings have a rough finish for grip. The slots are part of a pattern of grooves in the concrete arch. Clever use is made of the structural space in the cross section to implement the roosts.
Crossing the Vlotwatering the new bridge winds between two existing parcels and marks the entrance of the Poelzone. At the highest point, the bridge makes a turn for a clear view of the area. The wooden lamellas provide openness to the natural banks along the water. With a length of 25 meters the concrete arch spans the entire Vlotwatering. The S-shaped deck is supported with a pressure arc that slants under the bridge.
The bat bridge becomes part of the Poelzone, an elongated area in the Westland between the existing centres of ’ s- Gravenzande , Naaldwijk and Monster. Along the waterway a new green recreational zone with natural banks and spawn sites for fish will be realized. The landscape design by LOLA Landscape is made to strengthen the existing green and ecological connections in which natural and recreational values complement each other.
