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Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumTen years from now the Emscher River in Germany, currently a canal between two dykes, will be returned to its natural state as a river. In celebration of the renaturification, the Dutch art group <a href="http://www.observatorium.org/" target="_blank">Observatorium</a> built a habitable wooden bridge from <a href="http://inhabitat.com/company-reclaims-and-repurposes-over-5-million-feet-of-wood-fencing/">reclaimed timbers</a> to span the space where the river will eventually flow again. For the summer of 2010, <em>Warten auf den Fluss</em> was open to visitors and overnight guests so they could explore the area and experience the land that would soon be taken over by the river.1
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumThe Emscher River is a tributary of the Rhine and sits in a vast industrial area, which has used the river as an open waste canal, rendering the "river" virtually biologically dead.2
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumSince the 1990's a huge renaturation project has been in the works to rehabilitate the river.3
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumThe project is expected to cost several billion Euros and be completed in 2020.4
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumBefore the river is returns to nature though, Observatorium wanted to encourage people to explore the river bed, so they constructed Warten auf den Fluss (Waiting for the River).5
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumThe habitable bridge spanned 38 meter (125 ft) long and included dormitories, outdoor eating areas and a bathroom.6
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumDuring the summer of 2010, visitors could come lounge around the bridge, enjoy a picnic lunch and walk around the space to observe the existing flora and fauna.7
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumGuests were also encouraged to stay overnight and sleep in the dormitory to experience a full 24 hrs in the nature.8
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumConstruction of Warten auf den Fluss in the spring of 2010.9
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumDormitories inside the bridge.10
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumBuilt from reclaimed timbers, Warten auf den Fluss was designed so people could experience the area before it changed.11
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumAs Observatorium describes it, "In ten years time the river Emscher, now a sewer canal between dikes will be a natural river again."12
Waiting for the River-Observatorium"Observatorium symbolizes the anticipation of better times and a better environment by building a living covered bridge for a river that is not there yet and invites people to wait 24 hours for the river."13
Waiting for the River-ObservatoriumRendering of Warten auf den Fluss.14
