principal: RET en Gemeente Rotterdam     winning design 2000      completion: 2005

The concept of the metro station was developed by means of two characteristics of travelling. Firstly travelling is concerning speed and continuity, stations are places for connection and different types of transport come together. Secondly the experience of interruption is a particular aspect of travelling, described as follows:

Imagine, you arrive at the station and the doors of your train are just about to close. The train has left without you, you have missed your train. Left behind on the platform boredom is hitting you, a strong relation to time is part of waiting Your trip is interrupted; the continuity of travelling is gone. While waiting you become aware of your surroundings, experiencing the station as a place.

This experience of an interruption plays an important role in the design for the new metro station. The experience is transformed into different qualities of waiting places, the station is surrounded by a green park with water, bridges etc. and gives a splendid view to the surroundings including Lake Zevenhuizen. A special quality of voids are enclosed by the platform, which provides visibility and offers the traveller a sense of safety as well as a better access to daylight under the railway viaduct. The station has three glass coverings with added louvre-boards for protection against wind and rain. Each covering distinguishes itself in relation to the others and are simultaneously interrupted by small waiting places, they manifest themselves between these coverings. In the development transparency is guaranteed without damaging the degree of presence; light construction of steel and glass is used in contrast to heavy concrete for pillars and viaduct.