Skip to main content

This Stunning Dutch Art Installation Will Gently Rock Visitors Like a Seesaw

It seems the architects of Scandinavia and northern Europe never sleep. In the last few months, they’ve unveiled some truly stunning designs. Consider the beautiful “Parkipelago” in Copenhagen Harbour, this incredible spiral observation tower, and even the world’s most beautiful toilet (because Norway). Not to be outdone, Dutch architects have debuted an award-winning design for a large, one-of-a-kind viewing platform that literally rocks back and forth as visitors walk on it.

Recommended Videos

The so-called Seasaw is designed as a modern, wave-like viewing platform on a narrow peninsula off the northernmost point of North Holland. In profile, it appears as a curved eye shape, its two tapered landings cantilevered over the Wadden Sea. Those walking on the structure will experience a gentle, up-and-down swaying like that of a playground seesaw (get it?). The ambitious design is purportedly a world first — hardly surprising as most large structures are not expected to move.

SeaSaw - Den Helder

The Netherlands is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Wadden Sea. The coastline of the sea stretches for some 300 miles, touching Denmark and Germany. It’s a place of breathtaking natural beauty that includes pristine wetlands, estuaries, beaches, and tidal flats — all of which are along a migratory path for some 15 million birds each year.

The project’s design was the result of a competition among European architects and urban planners in the Netherlands. The initiative was spearheaded by urban redeveloper Zeestad to reinvigorate the historical coastline of Den Helder, roughly 50 miles north of Amsterdam. The municipality is home to the country’s main naval base, and its connection to Marsdiep, North Holland, and the Wadden Sea dates back centuries. With the recent structural reinforcement of a massive dike that visually disconnected the city from the sea, city planners sought a new, concrete way to visually reconnect it to the Wadden Sea.

The architectural firm behind the Seasaw project, MRVDV, was careful to respect the city’s rich marine heritage while providing a new, thoroughly modern way to appreciate it:

“The Seasaw for Den Helder is a memorable, undulating public art installation which responds to its context and history, whilst literally representing the dynamics of the sea in its infinite movement. The installation respects the existing dike whilst allowing visitors and inhabitants to experience both city and sea from a whole new perspective.”

The Seasaw is a working concept right now. MVRDV is scheduled to work with world-class Dutch engineers to complete the platform in 2019. A roughly three-mile hiking, cycling, and walking park route will directly connect the viewpoint to the city.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
American Airlines to add nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Columbus
American Airlines adds route between California and Ohio
American Airlines airplane

In March 2025, American Airlines will add a direct route between Los Angeles, California, and Columbus, Ohio. The daily flight will be aboard a Boeing 737-800, with room for 172 passengers. The route will fill the void Spirit Airlines left, ending its identical route on January 8, 2025. 
Flight times and commentary on American’s new route
Los Angeles, CA Denys Nevozhai via Unsplash

The new route begins service on March 6, 2025, and flies daily between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). Flight AA 227 leaves CMH at 5:45 p.m. and arrives at LAX at 7:30 p.m., taking around five hours. The L.A. to Columbus trip, also Flight AA 227, embarks at 9:20 a.m. and arrives at 4:55 p.m. Industry figures expressed enthusiasm for the needed flight. 

Read more
Jet Blue begins flying from New York to Bonaire
Jet Blue begins flying from JFK Airport to Bonaire
Sunrise in Bonaire

Yesterday, Jet Blue began flying from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to the island of Bonaire’s Flamingo International Airport (BON). The airline announced the route in May, and with its addition, Jet Blue now serves all the “ABC” islands — an abbreviation for the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao in the Leeward Antilles.
More details on the JFK to BON flight
Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands Mitchel Wijt via Unsplash

The New York to Bonaire flight occurs twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Flight 1643 from JFK to BON departs at 7:00 a.m. and arrives at 12:46 p.m. Flight 1644 from BON to JFK takes off at 2:10 p.m. and lands at 6:30 p.m. Jet Blue is the only airline offering direct service between the two destinations. 

Read more
American Airlines announces largest-ever Italy schedule for summer 2025
American Airlines expands flights to Italy for summer 2025
Shoreline of Naples, Italy

In the summer of 2025, travelers can explore Italy like never before, with American Airlines adding flights to Naples, Venice, and Rome. Beginning November 4, customers can purchase tickets and begin planning a trip to Italy’s renowned culture, cuisine, and historical sites.
Italy 2025: American Airlines expands schedule and adds non-stop flights
Colosseum, Rome, Italy Jude Wilson via Unsplash

Besides increasing its Italian schedule, American adds nonstop routes for the summer of 2025. That includes an industry-exclusive direct flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Naples-Capodichino International Airport (NAP), which provides more seats to Naples than any other carrier. Additionally, a nonstop route begins June 5 from Dallas Forth Worth International Airport (DFW) to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). That complements current service from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Read more