New platforms

The central almost sculptural gesture to give the redesign of old Station Square catalysing moment for its possible reactivation is a pair of “platforms” of different width and length. These volumes are fully clad in bricks like the adjacent houses and in this way create an abstract reminder of the train station and platforms in one gesture. Set on the square and extending into the adjacent dam the two re-enacted ?platforms“ enhance the context with a narrative of the former train station. The forms create a transitional directional gesture between the more urban square next to Helkijnstraat and the departure of the tree covered dam into the open landscape. The platforms can become socially functional elements in the public space. Set at a height of 55 cm they can be used as seat and/or a stage. The space between them has invites to meet and come together. No further site furniture is necessary on the square. More seating is offered under the tree canopy in the grove on the dam. In this zone between square and open landscape flowering shrubs such as wild roses could make for a shady park-like place. Here a few benches offer relaxed seating for a rest on a bicycle tour for reading a book or a friendly chat.