Designing a fish hotel: technical school students soon in Paterswoldsemeer
Which fish hotel deserves five stars? From March 7 through 10, people could vote for one of the 10 designs created by students from RSG De Borgen, the Praedinius Gymnasium, and the Stadslyceum. A panel of experts also evaluated the designs. Noorderzijlvest Water Authority the initiator and client of this technasium project. The water authority ten fish hotels in the Paterswoldsemeer over the coming years and also wants to involve young people in this effort. The design by Arthur, Simon, Jarien, and Nadine (RSG De Borgen) turned out to be the public’s favorite. After extensive deliberation, Hugo, Robin, Nadine, and Marloes (Stadslyceum) received the expert jury prize. Both designs will be put into practice and will soon be installed in the Paterswoldsemeer.
More than 200 students participated in the project. The 10 best designs were on display last week both online and at Wall House #2. “Young people sometimes come up with the most inspiring ideas. This project certainly proved that,” said Annette van Velde. She water authority on the expert jury on behalf of the water authority executive board. “We were truly surprised by the creative, yet often practical ideas. Every design had its own set of strengths. It was therefore very difficult to make a choice.”
Audience Award
A total of 288 votes were cast. With over 30% of the votes, the design by Arthur, Simon, Jarien, and Nadine from RSG De Borgen emerged as the public’s favorite. Jarien: “While you’re working on the assignment, you don’t really think about the fact that you’re collaborating with the water authority. But it’s actually really cool that parts of our plan are being implemented.”
judgement panel of experts
The expert jury evaluated the designs based on several criteria: feasibility, sustainability, functionality, originality, technical design, and communication. The assignment was, in fact, to make the fish hotel “visible from above the water” as well. The design by Hugo, Robin, Nadine, and Marloes ultimately scored the most points. Marloes: “It probably won’t be adopted in its entirety, but most of it can be. I’ll come by with my mom and my little sister in a few years. That’ll be nice.”
Putting it into practice
The two winning teams will get to take a canoe polo clinic at the Groningen Canoe Club. In addition, the water authority will have water authority designs turned into actual plans. Adjustments will be made to certain components—for example, after structural calculations are completed. Changes may also be made to the materials used to make the designs even more sustainable. But ultimately, the students will recognise their own designs when they see them in the PWM.
Fish hotels as a measure under the Water Framework Directive
The construction of fish hotels is one of the measures the water authority to improve the lake’s (ecological) water quality in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Currently, the lake lacks sufficient hiding and spawning places for fish and small aquatic organisms. The water authority nature-friendly shorelines. In addition, these artificial structures also contribute to ecological improvement. We call these artificial structures fish hotels. The hotels will be located under or near the docks on the east side of the lake.
Young People and Water
Noorderzijlvest has long been committed to education as a means of raising awareness among young people. This is not just about knowledge. The water authority water-related issues to take on meaning and for young people to be able to relate them to themselves and their own living environment.