BUS STATION AMSTERDAM CENTRAAL
Around 100 buses per hour arrive at Amsterdam Central Station. In the past they arrived at different locations, resulting in a very unclear situation. This was solved by bringing all city and intercity buses in one new bus station on the IJ side. When the North/ South metro line is ready, it will be possible to change directly between metro and bus via elevators and escalators. The whole bus station offers the traveler the most efficient and safe environment as possible: you never have to cross a bus lane.
The platform is easily accessible by stairs, escalators and elevators, both from the new station hall as well as from the west, center and east tunnel from Amsterdam Central Station. Passengers are informed by electronic boards about departure times. The buses each have a fixed bus stop, which provides a clear overview in the station. The bus station feels like a socially safe place, both by the design of the platform (with a lot of natural light), but also by the fact that the night buses leave on the same side of the station as the night trains. Large voids provide a good visual relationship between the station and the bus platform.
THE FOURTH STATION ROOF
The new station complex is completed with a fourth station roof. This is mostly glass-lined and continues the tradition of the existing roofs. The station roof will not only provide shelter for the waiting bus passengers, but also for the kiss and ride areas of the new station, the tunnel exits and part of the quay. Because the roof stretches on to the quay, travelers can easily switch between station and ferry and the roof will pull the water transport closer to the station. In addition, the new station roof is a landmark along the IJ banks and is acts as a new grand entrance to the city for all kinds of travellers.
The two existing historic steam roofs are iconic and characteristic for the station. This powerful image in combination with the available budget, made the choice for the arc shape of the new roof logical and natural. After all, by means of an arc shape, the most efficient surge can be realized. The 365 meter long roof is constructed from steel arch trusses with a span of approximately 60 meters. Between these trusses, which are 12.5 meters apart, steel purlins carry the mainly glass roof covering. The glass elements of the roof each have a size of about 1 to 3 meters and only 1 inch thick and are curved in the right curvature on the spot. This so-called “cold bent glass’ is curved yet strong enough to walk on. This system saves a considerable weight which reduces the amount of steel necessary in the roof. About 4500 glass plates will be used in total.
By using red and orange transparent films on a large number of the glass plates, the text ‘AMSTERDAM’ can be read on the cover. With a letter height of some twenty-two meters, this element is an additional landmark along the southern bank of the IJ. In addition, these colored panels give a particular light effect under the roof, similar to the former advertising texts in the gables of the monumental steam roofs. For the detailing a combination is sought between modern materials, techniques and form that matches the existing roofs. The result is a powerful interplay between old and new with an striking result.
