Uitkijkmast Steengroeve Winterswijk

Uitkijkmast Steengroeve Winterswijk is a concept developed by Mothership on behalf of Stichting Erfgoed & Nationaal Landschap Winterswijk. The proposal envisions an iconic viewing point that offers visitors a unique way to experience the remarkable stone quarries on the outskirts of Winterswijk. Although the project was not realized, it represents a first step toward a broader touristic and educational development of the area.

The quarries are geologically remarkable for their visible Triassic strata, rich in fossils and minerals such as pyrite. One of the quarries is a protected Natura 2000 area, home to the rare Eurasian eagle-owl. The site has the potential to develop into a major tourist attraction, as the landscape holds both natural and cultural significance.

The lookout is designed as a repurposed electricity pylon, laid horizontally across the edge of the quarry, forming a transparent tunnel that extends toward the depths. Visitors can walk through the structure and find themselves literally suspended above the quarry, offering a breathtaking experience of the depth and the white limestone walls. The design highlights the site’s industrial character while preserving unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.

This creative concept is part of a broader vision for the touristic and educational development of the quarry area, ultimately aiming toward the establishment of a museum. The lookout tower could serve as a symbolic starting point for this evolution, contributing to the enhancement of Winterswijk’s touristic identity.