West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture

In June 2004, Team CS, a collaboration of Benthem Crouwel Architekten, Meyer en Van Schooten Architecten, and West 8 urban design & landscape architecture b.v., has received the commission to execute the vision presented for the new Rotterdam Central Station. West 8 is involved in the team as architects as well as urban designers and landscape architects.

The design of Team CS for Rotterdam Central strives to embed the central station again in the center of Rotterdam. With the development of the High Speed Line (HSL), the design establishes the new station as a major hub in being a part of European transportation network. The new Rotterdam Central Station, in every respect, must be capable to match the efficiency, capacity, comfort, and style of other major stations such as Madrid, Paris, London, and Brussels.

For the Rotterdam Central Station, there is an issue of dealing with the different urban characteristics of the North and South side of the station. These characteristics serve as guidelines for the urban plan. The station’s north side, De Provenierswijk, is a 19th century green neighborhood that is nearly the provincial “face” of the Central Station. The existing station will be kept, renovated and expanded to the bicycle tunnel.

The South “city” side of the station forms Central Station’s new “Metropolitan” identity. The present situation doesn’t live up to this image. The existing station is distant and fairly isolated from the urban tissue of Rotterdam. A series of urban intervention is therefore urgent. The city’s development must focus itself towards the station area in order to “anchor” the new station and strengthen the new station surrounding.

The new hall of the station becomes a sculptural icon that begins in the city cultural axis. The façade of the station moves closer to the Weena Boulevard where an inviting “esplanade” leads the visitor to the Westersingel.  This esplanade has a welcoming green character with tall trees of large crowns.

The sculptural quality of the new Central Station reflects the urban addresses of Rotterdam. The folding of the roof and facades anticipates the diverse view lines. The hall of the new Central Station is the pivot of the urban ambiance.

See also the design for the footbridge here