Dikke Dirck, Amersfoort
An 8-metre Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren in the middle of the restaurant, with a working clock and a bell clapper driven by old wheels and belts.
- Project
- Dikke Dirck
- Location
- Groenmarkt, Amersfoort
- Division
- Steel Construction
- Specialism
- Interior fit-out
What we did
Dikke Dirck on the Groenmarkt in Amersfoort is a restaurant built around the experience: wherever you look, there is something to discover. The eye-catcher is a replica of the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren, the city's famous landmark tower. The tower is 8 metres high and reaches up to the third floor. The design came from architect Hopman Kersten; we did the technical engineering of the tower, built it and installed it in the restaurant.
The tower is made of copper and blued steel, with stained-glass windows and a working clock. The bell clapper is driven by old wheels and belts under the ceiling: a fine piece of machine building inside a restaurant.
We drew the whole thing in HiCAD. ISD, the developer of that 3D CAD package, liked the model so much that in 2020 it became one of the thirteen winners of their HiCart competition and featured on their calendar. In 2021 the project was also in the spotlight in the ISD Benelux newsletter.
We also made a steel spiral staircase with railings and a marble run. For the same client we also made the steelwork in restaurant Dolle Diva, also in Amersfoort.
On interior projects we work with the client, the architect or the interior fit-out company. They create the design; we take care of the metalwork, from detailing and production to installation.
Our work on this project
- an 8-metre Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren, in copper and blued steel
- a working clock in the tower
- a bell clapper, driven by old wheels and belts
- a steel spiral staircase with railings
- a marble run as an eye-catcher
Project photos
Click a photo to view it full size.
Steel balustrade with glass along the void, with the tower clock 
The marble run in a glass tube next to the staircase 
Steel structure and drive under the ceiling 
The dining room at Dikke Dirck 
HiCAD model of the tower in the building, with the clapper drive 
The tower with clock and stained-glass windows in the restaurant The tower's working clock (video) 
Copper panel with cut-out pattern next to a stained-glass window 
The tower's working clock 
Illuminated copper with cut-out pattern 
Drive with old wheels and belts under the ceiling 
HiCAD model of the complete tower Marble run in the restaurant (video)
