“Generous to its visitors – and to the urban landscape.”
Following these criteria, this year’s jury pointed at IJboulevard as one of five public buildings in The Netherlands that stand out.

Again, this means recognition for the way-we-do-it: turning functional infrastructural assignments into seductive spaces that contribute to urban culture.
The underwater parking for over 4,000 bicycles is a ‘plug-in’ for Amsterdam Central Station, a multi-modal transport hub – making people’s journeys as simple and hassle free as possible. It delivers new public space: bringing bicycles underground to free up space at street level whilst providing a new ‘living room’ for the city, a panoramic pedestrian boulevard on the river IJ.

The interior of IJboulevard features a design characterised by flowing lines and detailed rounded shapes, creating a warm and inviting aesthetic. The use of wooden walls, subtle lighting, and a calm color palette aid in clarity and orientation. Below, the unique underwater design provides a habitat for aquatic life to feed and shelter.

IJboulevard won the Schreuders Award in 2022 and is now also shortlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2023.
Architectenweb Awards ceremony takes place on 8 November 2023.

Special thanks to everyone involved: DS Landschapsarchitecten, Van Hattum en Blankevoort, City of Amsterdam, VolkerWessels, Volker Staal en Funderingen, HOMIJ Technische Installaties, Gebr. van Kessel Bedrijven, Royal HaskoningDHV, ProRail, Vervoerregio Amsterdam, NS.

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