NL architects' transparent pavilion makes waiting for trains a more comfortable experience

NL architects’ transparent pavilion makes waiting for trains a more comfortable experience
images by marcel van der burg

the ‘prettig wachten’ initiative is a scheme devised by dutch railway authorities to make waiting for trains a more comfortable experience. in fact, surveys have indicated that travelers on a station experience a waiting period as being three times longer than it is in reality. consequently, the amenities of 20 stations across the netherlands are being upgraded in a variety of different ways.

the freestanding structure offers unobstructed views of its surroundings

NL architects, who previously completed a waiting area for barneveld noord station, has now designed a new transparent pavilion as part of barneveld’s central terminal. originally, the design team wanted to make each of the windowpanes fully openable, allowing passengers to enter and exit at any point. however, it was decided that locking 24 doors each night would prove a time-consuming task for station staff.

two 23 meter-long beams are placed on four slender columns

the freestanding structure offers unobstructed views of its surroundings, including the adjacent station platforms. two 23 meter-long beams are placed on four slender columns that, in spite of their slenderness, contain electricity and drain pipes for the rainwater collected on the roof. inside, the sitting area is generously illuminated thanks to three carefully positioned skylights.

in spite of their slenderness, the columns contain electricity and drain pipes

the project is part of a scheme designed to make waiting for trains a more comfortable experience

as part of the initiative, the amenities of 20 stations are being upgraded

floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the project’s interior

the sitting area is generously illuminated thanks to three carefully positioned skylights

the structure also offers external areas of shelter

see NL architects’ barneveld noord design here

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project info:

location: barneveld, the netherlands
‘prettig wachten’ initiative and supervision: spoorbouwmeester koen van velsen / prorail
client: prorail
NL architects: pieter bannenberg, walter van dijk, kamiel klaasse
project architect: gerbrand van oostveen
team: kirsten hüsig, barbara luns, gert jan machiels, gen yamamoto with aude robert, christian asbo, jose ramon vives and julia nakanishi
photography: marcel van der burg