The municipality of Amsterdam has selected the Haskoning and VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism consortium for the large-scale renovation of Amsterdam Lelylaan Station and the surrounding urban area. This is a significant milestone for Nieuw-West and will provide a major quality boost for residents, passengers and local businesses alike. The new “city entrance” will also stimulate liveability, accessibility and space for housing construction.

 

Lelylaan: city entrance for Nieuw-West

Amsterdam Lelylaan Station is more than just a station: it is a strategic public transport hub and the main city entrance for Nieuw-West, West and the region towards Schiphol. It is centrally located along Cornelis Lelylaan and connects surrounding neighbourhoods via train, metro, tram, bus, cycle paths and footpaths. This unique position makes the area essential for the accessibility of the city and a key location for future area development and housing construction in Nieuw-West.

The Haskoning and VenhoevenCS consortium, in collaboration with design agency Gateways, has been selected to develop the preliminary and final design for the renovation of Amsterdam Lelylaan station and its surroundings (VSAL) on behalf of the Municipality of Amsterdam, the Amsterdam Transport Region, ProRail, NS and the Dutch government. This tender win marks an important moment for Nieuw-West. The focus is on upgrading the station and developing the surrounding urban space, with the aim of creating a liveable, safe and future-oriented place where residents, travellers and entrepreneurs can move around comfortably. Implementation will follow at a later stage.

 

A place that works for everyone

The renovation of Lelylaan station is one of the most radical renovation projects of public transport hubs in Amsterdam. With growing passenger flows, substantial housing challenges and a diverse urban programme, the area is ready for a new generation of public transport, mobility and recreational space. The renovation includes:

• A new station building with clear wayfinding and a strong focus on social safety
• Safe, legible passenger routes connecting all modes of transport
• High-quality bike parking facilities, both integrated within the station and at ground level
• A revitalised public realm with new squares and improved connections
• Stronger links to surrounding neighbourhoods, including Overtoomse Veld and Slotervaart

The design focuses explicitly on what the renovation means for the neighbourhood: a better overview, improved lighting, new comfort, stronger connections with surrounding neighbourhoods and an attractive, safe city entrance. Jarko van Nunen, project manager at Haskoning: ‘A hub only really works if you enjoy going there and can switch seamlessly from one mode of transport to another. In every design choice, we put the user first and create a place that encourages sustainable choices and where travellers intuitively feel at home in their daily commute.’

 

Integrated strength

The design team at Haskoning and VenhoevenCS combines a distinctive architectural vision with solid technical and process expertise, supported by station specialists from design agency Gateways. Interventions in the public transport hub have an impact on the spatial quality of the urban landscape as a whole. That is why VenhoevenCS has adopted a design approach that focuses on light, clarity and the experiential value, enabling the station to function as a fully-fledged urban space. The social safety and spatial experience of both travellers and casual passers-by play an important role in the design process. Haskoning ensures that this vision actually works: technically feasible, safe, logically phased and fully integrated with all modes of transport – from walking to cycling, tram, metro, train or bus. Danny Esselman, architect and partner at VenhoevenCS, sees it as follows: “We are proud to be working with Haskoning on this transformation. By designing architecture, urban space and mobility as a whole, we are creating a place with a strong identity that enriches the daily lives of residents and travellers.”

 

Digital power for supported choices

Digital tools such as 3D visualisations, VR and BIM are used to make the design transparent for professionals, local residents and other stakeholders. The result is a design that is not only ambitious and urban, but also practical, supported by the community and future-proof.

 

Planning

In the coming period, the team will start the transfer phase and further refine the design vision, after which they will work towards a preliminary design supported by all partners in 2027.

 

About VenhoevenCS

VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism is a multidisciplinary design agency at the intersection of architecture, urban planning and infrastructure. The agency works on healthy, inclusive and future-proof environments at all scales. Our strength lies in integrated solutions for complex, urgent challenges that our times bring. Always with an eye for ecology, technology and the human dimension.

 

About Haskoning

Haskoning is an international consultancy and engineering firm for the natural and built environment. Based on our mission of Enhancing Society Together, our 6,800 professionals help clients worldwide with sustainable and leading-edge solutions.

As an independent company without external shareholders, we determine our own course, in line with our values and in the interests of our clients, colleagues and society. Haskoning was founded in 1881 and has proudly held the Royal Designation since 1981.

 

About Gateways

Gateways is a design agency for architecture, urban planning and mobility, specialising in public transport hubs and urban transformation. We connect mobility facilities, buildings and public spaces to create clear, meaningful and feasible solutions. The comfort of users, the human dimension and social impact are always central to this.