Visionary Heritage Concept – Fortress Vechten
Where Bats and Battles Coexist
At GreenDreamCompany, we believe heritage conservation is about more than preserving the past—it’s about shaping a sustainable future where history and nature coexist. Our vision for Fortress Vechten reimagined the Dutch Waterline not just as a historical site, but as a living ecosystem, blending military history with biodiversity protection.
Project Overview
Our concept transformed Fortress Vechten into an immersive heritage experience, integrating a museum, a nature-based experience park, and an underground hotel inspired by the fortress’s architecture. A highlight was a dynamic model of the Netherlands that could be inundated, demonstrating the Waterline’s strategic brilliance. However, what truly set this project apart was its commitment to living heritage—not just preserving the past, but actively protecting the wildlife that calls the fortress home.
What was our Biggest Challenge
How do you develop a world-class heritage destination while safeguarding a delicate ecosystem?
One of the most complex aspects of this project was balancing the preservation of history with ecological responsibility. The presence of protected bat species meant that traditional construction and development approaches were not an option. Instead of seeing this as a limitation, we turned it into an opportunity. By collaborating with leading chiropterologists, we designed a Bat Hotel, a dedicated habitat that allowed the bat population to thrive alongside human visitors. This challenge became a defining feature of the project, proving that cultural innovation and nature conservation can reinforce rather than oppose each other.
Our Role & Expertise
GreenDreamCompany led the project by:
- Developing an innovative storytelling-based heritage concept
- Managing financial structuring and investment coordination
- Engaging stakeholders and forming public-private partnerships
- Integrating sustainability and wildlife conservation into heritage development
- Creating opportunities for people distanced from the labor market, ensuring inclusive employment
- Designing an engaging visitor experience that connects history, nature, and social impact
Project Legacy
This project stands as a pioneering model of how heritage sites can be redefined for the future, with a fully developed concept ready for implementation. By merging history with ecological responsibility, Fortress Vechten exemplifies how cultural destinations can preserve the past, present and future while fostering a thriving, biodiverse environment.
