ArchShowcase 
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. Amsterdam Central Station in The Netherlands by Wiel Arets ArchitectsMay 12th, 2011 by Sumit Singhal
Amsterdam’s Central Station is currently undergoing a drastic transformation to become the centerpiece of the city’s plan to reconnect its neighborhood clusters through the restructuring of its public transportation systems. The IJhal, to be located in the rear of Amsterdam’s Centraal Station on the waterfront of the river IJ, will be the main pedestrian centric portion of the renewed station, adding gastronomic, leisure and service areas to the station’s program.  Exterior View
 Exterior View
 Ijhal Historically, the neighborhood of Amsterdam North has been separated from the rest of the city by the river IJ. With the opening of the IJhal at Centraal Station – and later the North South Metro line, which will travel under the IJ and physically connect Amsterdam North with the rest of the city – this barrier will be broken.  Elevation Currently two pedestrian halls are open inside Centraal Station, and are to be changed to five halls that will cut through the entire station, helping to easily direct users from the front entrance to their train, metro, or bus – and strengthening the connection by the North South Metro. This perpendicular routing to the river IJ enables a direct visual connection to the waterfront from most areas inside the station. Within the IJhal various gastronomic outlets will be available for food on the go, while restaurants and cafes will also be incorporated. All gastronomic facilities will be located on the waterfront edge of the IJhal, to encourage the utilization of the station beyond a transportation hub, and into a destination itself.  Stairs A system of round-mirrored elements composed of a stainless steel type surface will be mounted on the ceiling, mimicking the reflective properties of the IJ’s waters within the IJhal. These elements will serve to visually double the height of the space. Below the new bus terminal at the rear of the station, above the IJhal, voids will be located alongside stairs and escalators – containing hanging gardens – that will visually connect the bus terminal above with the IJhal below.  Interior View The floor of the IJhal will function as an abstracted way finding system composed of a terrazzo like flooring of polished circles that will condense and expand in accordance with pedestrian traffic patterns by shrinking and condensing when two perpendicular paths occur. This subtle shift of floor pattern will keep users in constant motion during intersections, serving to keep the station’s halls free of unnecessary congestion.  Interior View The waterfront behind Centraal Sation is not currently developed for public functions. As the surrounding neighborhoods on the IJ’s waterfront continue to develop, more public venues in the area are beginning to appear. The Piet Heinkade corridor, which follows the IJ to the East of Centraal Station, has been revitalized by the conversion of former warehouses into residential housing, alongside the recently completed ‘Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ’ and the adjacent port for visiting cruise ships. Multiple cafes, restaurants and hotels – as well as the renewal of the KNSM Island into a purely residential district in the late 1990’s – has further propelled these waterfront developments.  Interior View A tram line running from Central Station, along Piet Heinkade and towards the new housing area of IJburg in the East of the city, acts as an axis to connect these districts. On the western waterfront of the IJ, the recently completed ‘Westerdoks’ have added a new residential district to the city, in turn adding more housing, cafes and shops to the city’s waterfront.  Elevation The exterior of the IJhal facing the waterfront will utilize a printed glass facade, further incorporating the transparent and reflective qualities of the IJ to the IJhal. In doing so, a visual connection with the IJ can be maintained from within the hall at all times.  Section 01 Alongside the waterfront will be an outdoor area with tables and seating for the various cafes and restaurants, where travelers and citizens of the city alike will be able to relax and enjoy the city’s rediscovered waterfront. Docks alongside this outdoor area will be able to accommodate multiple functions, such as the mooring of recreational boats, or play host to a floating swimming pool in the IJ; possibilities for recreational facilities are  Section 02  Model  View 01  View 02
Contact Wiel Arets Architects
Tags: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Categories: Cultural Center, Mixed use, Vectorworks |
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