LOCATION

Amsterdam

YEAR

2012

CLIENT

study project

TYPE

urbanism

The Amsterdam South-Axis suffers from an overkill of spatial studies and theoretical conceptions. When we finally stop treating it as something that is in between the masters Berlage and van Eesteren or a nondescript node in a global corridor, we now can visualize it as a part of the city.

Decreasing economics led to an urban field that nowadays is highly fragmented, both by infrastructures as by the lack of development. The design of the public realm has played a minor role and that is paradoxical to the worldwide references that are being used.

The Park Central Amsterdam proposal aims to shake up the discussion, by presenting a radical but remarkably pragmatic urban design. The plan is a discussion between pure emptiness and profound urban density, horizontal movement and vertical motion. It celebrates the arrival in Amsterdam, where the elevated 60m high train track opens a panorama on the whole city region.

By envisioning two borders of dense urban development, the middle remains as a strong void. Two double train tracks and one double metro track are stacked upon each other and cross the area both subtle and spectacular. The complete car free park concentrates green openness and as an ensemble creates an urban field with high quality. The Park Central Station is a transparent stack of floors, elevators, stairs and escalators. With its transparent foot in the park, it highlights the 21st century of mobility, nature and urbanity.

Jorick Beijer

Stephan Sliepenbeek