Which fish hotel deserves five stars? Cast your vote!

At the start of this school year, the Noorderzijlvest water board challenged more than 200 second-year Technasium students to design a fish hotel and make it 'visible' above water. The creation of these artificial shelters and spawning grounds for fish and small aquatic creatures is one of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) measures devised in 2020 in collaboration with representatives of local residents and users of the lake. 

Designing a fish hotel

For a whole term, students from RSG De Borgen, Praedinius Gymnasium, and Stadslyceum worked on their designs. The 10 best designs will be on display at the Wall House between March 8 and 10. Visitors can vote for their favorite fish hotel. Online voting is also possible. A professional jury will also choose a favorite. The two winning designs will be implemented as far as feasible. 

Architectural Wall House, on Paterswoldsemeer Lake

Models in the Wall House

The designs have been developed into models. These are on display in the beautifully designed Wall House, located directly on the Paterswoldsemeer lake. 

  • Visitors can come and watch upon registration.
  • When: Tuesday, March 8, Wednesday, March 9, or Thursday, March 10
  • Time: between 12:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Registration required

Due to fire regulations, a maximum of 30 people are allowed in the Wall House at any one time. If you would like to come and cast your vote, please register at paterswoldsemeer@noorderzijlvest.nland indicate which afternoon you would like to visit. 

Online voting starts on March 7

Interested, but unable to visit the Wall House? All designs will be available on the project website from March 7, each accompanied by a short video: paterswoldsemeer.noorderzijlvest.nl/ontwerpen-vissenhotel-paterswoldsemeer. Voting will be open from March 7 to March 10 via an online voting form. 

Fish hotels as a Water Framework Directive measure

The construction of fish hotels is one of the measures taken by the water board to improve the (ecological) water quality of the lake in accordance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD). At present, the lake has too few hiding places and spawning grounds for fish and small aquatic animals. The water board is constructing nature-friendly banks. In addition, these artificial structures also provide ecological improvement. The hotels will be located under or near the jetties on the east side of the lake. 

Young people and water

Noorderzijlvest has long been committed to education in order to raise awareness among young people. This is not just about knowledge. The water board wants water issues to be meaningful and young people to be able to relate them to themselves and their own living environment. In addition, the water board has noticed that young people often still think very creatively.