Gemeenlandshuis Zwanenburg, Water board meeting hall in Halfweg, Netherlands.
The Gemeenlandshuis Zwanenburg is a brick building from the 17th century that served as a water board administration center, featuring Ionian pilasters on its upper level with a decorative crown and triangular gable. The facade displays festoon ornaments and classical details that give the structure a formal appearance.
Architect Pieter Post designed this building in 1645 for the water authority managing water levels of the IJ and Haarlem Lake. It became a key administrative center for regional water management operations.
The building displays coats of arms from the water board members on its front facade, which you can see from the street showing local authority over water management.
The building is located at Haarlemmerstraatweg 7 near Halfweg-Zwanenburg railway station, making it easy to reach by train or car. You can view this protected monument from the outside and take photos from the public street.
The building housed weather observations where Jan Noppen developed the Dutch windspeed standard between 1706 and 1734, based on observations of mill sails. This measurement system is still recognized in meteorology today.
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