Renovation of the quay wall on Maarland Zuidzijde in Brielle

The renovation of the quay wall in Brielle was both a technical and aesthetic challenge. In the heart of this historic fortified town, we collaborated with Beens Groep and the municipality of Voorne aan Zee on the refurbishment of 115 metres of quay wall along the Maarland Zuidzijde. The existing wooden foundation beneath the old gravity walls was in poor condition. A future-proof and characterful solution was sought for the renovation. As part of the construction team, Iv contributed to the investigation, alternatives study and the design of the new structure.

The quay wall is located approximately 10 metres from existing buildings, including several national monuments. Space on the quay was limited, with a roadway and parking spaces situated on the landward side. By positioning the new quay wall two metres in front of the existing one, more space was created for the area’s redevelopment. The new quay comprises an anchored sheet pile wall with precast concrete facing panels, finished with masonry and basalt to preserve its historic character. The design process was technically demanding—typical of the renovation of a historic quay wall in a dense urban setting. For example, raking piles had to be removed without weakening the old quay; for this, we devised a temporary steel-pile structure. We also optimised the length of the sheet pile, enabling Beens Groep to install the piles without vibration. Finally, we ensured seamless technical and aesthetic connections to the existing quay and the bridge abutment.

Thanks to the intensive collaboration within the construction team, we achieved a buildable design with manageable risks. The result? A safe, stable and characterful quay that ensures the historic town centre of Brielle is ready for the future while —maintaining its heritage appearance.