BICYCLE STORAGE CS

A clever system of slopes forms the base of a bicycle parking that is both comfortable and efficient.

Right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, in the dense and protected inner city environment, a temporary storage was commissioned for 2500 bicycles. To comply with all restrictions, a slender, self-standing structure is built in the water along the quay. The continuous ramps along which the bicycles can be stored make for a very functional organisation, while adding quality to the experience of the users. After comfortably cycling up, rather than walking and pushing one’s bike, all efforts are rewarded with a belvedere over the city. Next to its function as storage, the building has revealed different uses. Skaters love to use it as a podium for their stunts, and tourist never leave without having taken their pictures in front of it.

“ … how do you make something optimistic out of something functional?”

On a tour with Don Murphy to our Bicycle Storage at Central Station Amsterdam

The design for this bicycle storage should be seen as a celebration of parking. Not the daily routine of this by far most common Dutch vehicle is taken as a starting point, but rather the pleasure of storing a bike. Right in front of the Central Station, the expected number of bikes as estimated by the municipality could reach more than 5000. The construction had to be independent of the quay. Because of the numerous touring boats needing to turn in this area, the building had to be executed with minimum contact with the water.