Renovated entrance to the Western passenger tunnel at Amsterdam Central Station now open

Teun Teeuwisse (projectmanager ZJA Architects & Engineers) says: “Since 2017, ZJA Architects & Engineers has been working as the lead architect on behalf of ProRail for the redesign of Amsterdam Central Station. Within the relatively small project area of the western tunnel entrance renovation, all the challenges of this large-scale redevelopment come together. Creating more space for travelers within a national monument while the station remains operational. Clear design principles, precision work of the highest order, and close collaboration between all construction partners have resulted in a fresh, clear, and pleasant space. One where the original beauty of the historic building is once again fully revealed.”

More space, visual calm, and monumental beauty

The entrance to the western passenger tunnel—where it connects to the monumental station building designed by Pierre Cuypers—is one of the busiest points in Amsterdam Central. ZJA sought to create as much space and visual calm as possible here. The original architecture of the monument has been leveraged to improve the building’s legibility. Regular travelers will immediately notice that the former, overly steep ramp leading from the concourse has been replaced with stairs and an escalator.

The once largely demolished arched wall of the original platform structure above has been reconstructed. In addition, the northern façade of the Cuypers building and the old retaining wall have been made visible again. By relocating the stairs and escalators slightly westward, more space has been created. The dark, angular, metallic look from the 1980s has been replaced by light colors and clear accents at the staircases. Two new elevators now connect the entrance, the tunnel, and the first platform.

Precision work within a large-scale project

With anticipated growth in passenger numbers and travel frequency, ProRail is working together with the Municipality of Amsterdam, NS (Dutch Railways), engineering firms Arcadis and Movares, and the ZJA team (ZJA Architects, Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau, IGG) on the continued modernization of Amsterdam Central Station. This major project is part of the High-Frequency Rail Transport Program (PHS), which aims to run more trains and increase transfer space throughout the station in a comfortable and accessible way.

The platforms are being widened one by one. Now that the western tunnel entrance is complete, the narrow eastern tunnel will also be widened. Adjacent to it, a large indoor bicycle parking facility with 8,500 spaces is being built, designed by Arcadis. Retail units will be added to the eastern tunnel. Through a carefully phased sequence of small and large upgrades, the station is being prepared for the future.

Want to know more? Visit ProRail’s dedicated website about the redevelopment of Amsterdam Central Station and read more about the design by ZJA Architects & Engineers on our website.

Project details Renovation of the entrance to the western passenger tunnel at Amsterdam Central Station

Client: ProRail
Architect: ZJA Architects & Engineers
Restoration Architect: Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau
Construction Cost Consultant: IGG
Structural Engineer (Design): Arcadis
Geotechnical Consultant: Arcadis
Installations Advisor: Arcadis
Coordinating Structural Engineer: Arcadis
Main Contractor: BAM Advice & Engineering
Subcontractor – Construction: Schakel & Schrale
Subcontractor – Electrical & Technical Installations: Klaver Giant Group
Subcontractor – Mechanical Installations: Verkerk
Subcontractor – Steel Construction: Civiele Technieken deBoer / Rijnstaal Nieuwegein
Subcontractor – Demolition: Amovatiebedrijf Aalsmeer
Subcontractor – Temporary Works: BAM Materieel