Next Architects have opened a new bridge that doubles as a habitat for local bats in a Dutch town called Monster, part of a green regeneration to bring nature to the waterway.

As well as allowing locals to cross the meandering Vlotwaterling River, the 25m (82ft) concrete and wooden structure is also fitted with grooves on its underside that act as an ideal roosting place for the bats.

The company’s design, which cost just €700,000 (US$773,000, £503,000) to realise, has been shortlisted for an ARC15 Detail Award – which celebrates completed projects which distinguish themselves through innovation.

Rotterdam-based firm LOLA Landscape Architects are also working to develop a new green recreational zone along the waterway. Continuing the natural theme, spawning sites for fish will be included in the development.

In an exclusive interview with CLAD, Next Architects' Jurriaan Hillerstrom said: "We were invited to enter a design competition for an interesting and different bridge. We were inspired by this waterway, which is a flight route for bats. In all our work, we always try to consider parameters outside of architecture and we like to integrate nature with our designs."

Hillerstrom believes that a large colony of the creatures will soon be living and hibernating around the bridge throughout the year.