In February, Amsterdam saw the opening of a new underwater bicycle parking facility. Located in the heart of the city—next to Amsterdam Central Station and under the river IJ (Amsterdam’s waterfront)—the facility, dubbed IJboulevard, has parking spots for over 4,000 bicycles, freeing up space on the street.
Designed by VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism, along with Van Hattum en Blankevoort and DS Landscape Architects, IJboulevard also has created 6,000 square meters (64,583 sf) of new public space above the bike parking facility. The parking facility’s roof serves as a new walkway and gathering space along the river IJ, while also providing seating areas and views of the water.
The bicycle parking facility’s interior design features flowing lines and rounded shapes intended to create a warm, inviting feel. Wooden walls, subtle lighting, and a calm color palette provide clarity and orientation. The use of the same dark gray natural stone on both the pedestrian boulevard and the facility’s entrances provides a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces.
The stairwells’ large glass surfaces bring in natural light and allow pedestrians on the walkway to see inside the facility. And the column-free design and the prominent placement of the manager’s office help users feel safe.
The eco-friendly design integrates low-energy consumption and sustainable materials. IJboulevard also incorporates features that mimic natural habitats to promote biodiversity and support aquatic life. To improve the health of the river, the design includes bio huts, wood, coconut mats, and porous concrete between the underwater pile supports—offering a habitat for aquatic plants to feed and shelter.
On the Building Team:
Design architect: VenhoevenCS
Landscape architect: DS Landschapsarchitecten
Main contractor: Van Hattum en Blankevoort
Structural engineer: VolkerWessels Infra Competence Centre
MEP: Homij Technische Installaties
Building physics: Buro Bouwfysica
Wayfinding and pedestrian flow consultant: Royal HaskoningDHV
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Jan 23, 2024
Top 45 Parking Structure Engineering Firms for 2023
Walker Consultants, Kimley-Horn, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, KPFF Consulting Engineers, and Walter P Moore head BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest parking structure engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 23, 2024
Top 55 Parking Structure Construction Firms for 2023
PCL Construction Enterprises, Swinerton, Bomel Construction, McCarthy Holdings, and Alberici-Flintco top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest parking structure general contractors and construction management (CM) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Jan 23, 2024
Top 60 Parking Structure Architecture Firms for 2023
Choate Parking Consultants, Page Southerland Page, Gensler, AO, and Elkus Manfredi Architects top BD+C's ranking of the nation's largest parking structure architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms for 2023, as reported in the 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 17, 2024
Waterproofing deep foundations for new construction
This continuing education course, by Walter P Moore's Amos Chan, P.E., BECxP, CxA+BE, covers design considerations for below-grade waterproofing for new construction, the types of below-grade systems available, and specific concerns associated with waterproofing deep foundations.
Industrial Facilities | Nov 14, 2023
Some AEC firms are plugging into EV charging market
Decentralized electrical distribution is broadening recharger installation to several building types.
Transportation & Parking Facilities | Aug 23, 2023
California parking garage features wind-activated moving mural
A massive, colorful, moving mural creatively conceals a newly opened parking garage for a global technology company in Mountain View, Calif.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 115 Architecture Engineering Firms for 2023
Stantec, HDR, Page, HOK, and Arcadis North America top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture engineering (AE) firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
2023 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
A record 552 AEC firms submitted data for BD+C's 2023 Giants 400 Report. The final report includes 137 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Giants 400 | Aug 22, 2023
Top 175 Architecture Firms for 2023
Gensler, HKS, Perkins&Will, Corgan, and Perkins Eastman top the rankings of the nation's largest architecture firms for nonresidential building and multifamily housing work, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2023 Giants 400 Report.
Standards | Jun 26, 2023
New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings
The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.