A bronze work of art

How the Idea for the Bronze Model Originated

The idea was born when Robert Kohsiek, Director of Wonam, saw a bronze model during a visit to a cathedral in Spain. Such a miniature reveals the entirety of the architecture at a single glance. The same applies to the Zandkasteel Amsterdam: the building is imposing and characteristic, yet you never see the whole thing at once. The towers, lines, and proportions only become truly visible when you can step back.

A bronze artwork would provide that perspective. This led Robert Kohsiek and Max van Huut (architect of Zandkasteel Amsterdam) to artist Tibo van de Zand.

About the Maker: Tibo van de Zand

Tibo van de Zand is a Dutch artist with a rapidly growing reputation. He grew up in the studio of his father, Jits Bakker, a renowned artist who gained international acclaim for his expressive sculptures and his talent for capturing character and moments in bronze. This background formed the foundation for Tibo’s own development as a creator.

His father’s influence is visible in his attention to detail, his handling of materials, and the dynamism in his work. Both his sculptures and his Fauvist and Expressionist paintings are collected both domestically and abroad. For the Zandkasteel commission, Tibo brought together his heritage and his own signature style into a single work of art.

From First Sketch to Bronze Model

The concept was further developed in Tibo’s studio. Together with architect Max van Huut, he studied the original drawings and the building’s most vital characteristics. The goal was not to create an exact scale model, but rather an artwork that reveals the essence of the Zandkasteel.

Starting in December 2024, Tibo worked layer by layer on the base model. All the recognizable elements—the towers, the window arrangements, and the variations in height—began to take shape. By the spring, the full-scale model was complete.


Bronze Casting: An Artisanal Method

The bronze model was manufactured using the traditional lost-wax method (cire perdue), a technique used for centuries to create high-quality bronze artworks.

The process consists of several steps:

• The handmade model is converted into a rubber mold.

• A wax impression is created from that mold.

• The wax is refined until every detail is perfect.

• The wax is then encased in a heat-resistant casting mold.

• In the kiln, the wax melts away.

• The resulting cavity is filled with liquid bronze.

• After cooling, the mold is removed and the finishing process begins.

The casting was carried out by Bronsgieterij Stijlaart in Tiel, a specialized foundry with a long history of artisanal craftsmanship.


An Ode to the Architecture of the Zandkasteel

In September 2025, the artwork was completed. The result is an elegant bronze translation of the Zandkasteel Amsterdam. For the first time, it is possible to experience the full architecture in a single view, exactly as it was once intended.

The model showcases the strength and uniqueness of the building, offering visitors, tenants, and neighbors a new way to experience this iconic piece of architectural heritage. As such, the work forms a lasting ode to both the history and the future of the Zandkasteel.