

rotterdam centraal station redeveloped by team CS

photo by jannes linders

all images courtesy of team CS

‘rotterdam centraal station’ has been redeveloped to represent the transportation hub’s important role not only within the city, but also as part of the european train network. the project, a unique collaboration by benthem crouwel architects, MVSA architects and west 8, accommodates 110,000 passengers per day and has been designed to cater for up to 323,000 daily travelers by 2025.



the wooden finish of the roof and the granite stone floor ensure a welcoming station concourse

photo by jannes linders

located between a residential area to the north, and the city center to the south, the new building attempts to integrate fully within its dual environment. the transparent hall at the north of the site matches the restrained character of its late 19th century surroundings, making a modest impression, while to the south, a sense of grandeur and arrival is created through an eye-catching roof structure. additionally, an adjoining concourse area directly links the terminal with trams departing outside, as well as with connecting metro lines.



the brightly lit station hall guides travelers inside

photo by jannes linders

in order to form a connection with ‘rotterdam centraal’s’ past, elements from the former construction, built in 1957, are incorporated within the design. two sculptures cast from the previously existing granite structure sit above the entrance to a vehicle storage facility with room for 750 cars and 5,200 bicycles. additionally, the original sign and station clock are featured as part of the new southern façade.



the station is flooded with natural light

photo by jannes linders

environmental sustainability has also been considered with 130,000 solar cells, positioned across 10,000 sqm of the 28,000 sqm roof, (one of the largest solar rooftop projects in europe), reducing the building’s carbon dioxide emissions by 8%.



two sculptures cast from the original granite structure sit above the entrance to a vehicle storage facility

photo by jannes linders



the station’s former sign and clock are proudly displayed on the southern façade

photo by jannes linders



the roof of the entrance hall is clad with stainless steel

photo by jannes linders

the original sign and clock provide a tangible link to the station's past

photo by jannes linders

the modest and restrained northern façade of the design

photo by jannes linders

the inviting and welcoming station concourse

photo by jannes linders

skylights provide diffused natural daylight

photo by jannes linders

passengers are guided by clear signage and a direct view of trains

photo by jannes linders

(left) the glazed roof to the north of the site

(right) escalators take passengers to the newly renovated platforms

photos by jannes linders

the 250 meter roof structure spanning all of the rail lines

photo by jannes linders

the roof's glass plates vary the amount of light transmitted

photo by jannes linders

'speculaasjes' a granite sculpture created from the walls of the former building

photo by jannes linders

the new building within the existing urban landscape

photo by skeyes aerial photography

roof plan

floor plan level -1/0

floor plan level +1

site plan

section

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visual demonstrating the program of spaces full article here

project info:

location: stationsplein 1, 3013 AJ rotterdam, the netherlands

client: gemeente rotterdam and prorail

team CS: a cooperation between benthem crouwel architects, MVSA meyer en van schooten architecten and west 8

gross floor area: 46,000 sqm (495,140 sqf)

completed: 2013

lead architects: jan benthem, marcel blom, adriaan geuze, jeroen van schooten

project team: arman akdogan, anja blechen, freek boerwinkel, amir farokhian, joost koningen, joost van noort, falk schneeman, daphne schuit, matthijs smit, andrew tang, wouter thijssen and joost vos

structural engineer: arcadis and gemeentewerken rotterdam

mechanical services: arcadis and gemeentewerken rotterdam

building physics: arcadis and gemeentewerken rotterdam

contractor: bouwcombinatie TBI rotterdam centraal (BTRC), iemants NV (zuidhal)

photography: jannes linders