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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. New Train Station in Delft, Netherlands by MecanooMarch 24th, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Mecanoo Within the new station hall an undulating ‘vault’, which has been designed to evoke an “unforgettable arrival experience”, features a scaled 1877 map of the Dutch city rendered in blue and white. Columns wrapped in a mosaic of Delft-blue titles, also reminiscent of the colours of Delftware, one of the city’s most famous global exports. This project is having a massive press coverage around Holland and is turning into a tourist attraction as well.
 Image Courtesy © Mecanoo
 Image Courtesy © Mecanoo Delft’s new train station is now in use On Saturday 28th February 2015, the Delft’s new railway station was officially opened to the public. The station, in combination with municipal offices and the new city hall, sits atop a new train tunnel built in place of the old concrete viaduct that has divided the city in two since 1965. From the outset, Mecanoo’s idea has been to design a station that makes it clear to visitors that they have arrived in Delft.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo Francine Houben, Mecanoo’s creative director: “Coming up the escalators, the impressive ceiling with the historic map of Delft unfolds. When you look outside, you see the city and the old station as a modern ‘View of Delft’ by the painter Johannes Vermeer. Arriving in Delft is now an unforgettable experience!”  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo Interweaving past and future The city of Delft reflects its past: the multitude of historic buildings and canals; the ‘Prinsenstad’ city, closely connected to the Dutch Royal Family; and, of course, the world famous Delftware ceramic factories. On the other hand, the Delft University of Technology is at the forefront of technical innovation. The character of Delft, epitomised in this combination of past and future, was the starting point for the design led by Francesco Veenstra of Mecanoo.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo Delft Blue A vaulted ceiling features an enormous historic 1877 map of Delft and its surroundings, connecting the station with the city hall that is currently under construction. Within the station hall, walls and columns are adorned with a contemporary re-interpretation of Delft Blue tiles. In 2017, you will be able to walk directly from the station into the city hall.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo Dutch skies The glass skin of the building is designed to reflect the Dutch skies. The panels of fused glass with lens-like spheres reference a vernacular window design that can be seen throughout the historic city. The combination and rhythm of open panels of high performance glass and closed fused glass panels enable a high degree of energy efficiency.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo Contextually compact Throughout the design process the building volume has been shaved and reformed to create a compact, highly efficient building form. The lowered roof lines at the corners provide a gradual transition towards the existing small-scale development of the Delft city centre and the adjacent Wester Quarter. Incisions in the glass volume form a pattern of alleyways and courtyards, which are themselves inspired by the intricate structure of Delft itself.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo The station hall is a part of the first phase of the development of the station and municipal office. When the old railway viaduct will be demolished in 2017, and the city hall and entire municipal offices completed, the whole complex will be open to the public.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo The Mecanoo building compromises the station hall and on top the new municipal offices (they will open later this year). The station platforms below ground have been designed by Benthem Crouwel, the Dutch practice behind Rotterdam Centraal Station.  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo The building is +- 80% complete and the last phase can be finished once they destroy the old viaduct (we have no plans available due to the fact the construction is still underway). See graphic below.  Image Courtesy © Harry Cock  Image Courtesy © Harry Cock  Image Courtesy © Mecanoo
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Tags: Delft, Netherlands Category: Railway Station |
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