Since 2012, the Foundation for Bridge keeper’s houses has been working as a catalyst for the repurposing and reuse of empty bridge keeper’s houses in the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, there are approximately 1,000 bridge keeper’s houses whose original function has been lost because the controls have been placed remotely. In the meantime, almost 10% of the houses have been given a new function as a gallery, hotel room, kiosk or hair salon.

Thanks to many projects, research assignments, management and its own efforts, the foundation has developped a lot of knowledge, information and a diverse network. It is often approached by new initiators and owners of bridge keeper’s houses (municipalities, provinces or other authorities) when it comes to the repurposing of bridge keeper’s houses.

The foundation’s work is largely carried out by volunteers and can be divided into three pillars:

• Knowledge centre for initiators and networks around the reuse of bridge keeper’s houses;
• Projects and advice to stimulate and encourage repurposing;
• Temporary management and exploitation of empty houses in collaboration with other organisations.