Mammoet has relocated the Paal 17 Aan Zee beach pavilion on Texel Island, North Holland, in a project aimed at preserving the surrounding sand dunes. Local authorities recommended the move to allow the dunes to grow and strengthen against erosion and rising sea levels.
Commissioned by JLD Contracting BV, the relocation was completed after just a few weeks of preparation. Despite the tight schedule, the pavilion—constructed primarily of wood—was moved in one piece within ten minutes using Mammoet’s self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs). The process was live-streamed on YouTube, drawing an online audience.
To prevent structural damage during the move, a steel platform was installed beneath the building, and the SPMTs’ precisely adjustable decks ensured safe transport without deformation. This marked the first time in the Netherlands that a pavilion was moved in this manner.
Ahead of the move, JLD Contracting installed long pilings at the new location to absorb future beach erosion and positioned a new beam foundation. After disconnecting all utilities, Mammoet lifted the pavilion with two SPMT trains, cut it free from the old foundations, and gently transported it to its new site.
Now safely relocated, the pavilion continues to welcome beachgoers while supporting vital environmental protection efforts.
