Architecture News Plus (ANP) – Architecture and Design Magazine

Leiden Central Station

This is a project by Maxwan Architects+Urbanists and it is located at Netherlands. Project's program: Transport hub, office, housing, retail, cinema, congress centre, hotel. There are twelve images for Leiden Central Station.

: © Maxwan Architects+Urbanists

Project details

Project name: Leiden Central Station
Location: Netherlands
Program: Transport hub, office, housing, retail, cinema, congress centre, hotel
Area: Site area: 10ha
Year: Project year: 2010
Client: City of Leiden
Project by: Maxwan Architects+Urbanists
Team: Partner in Charge: Rients Dijkstra, Hiroki Matsuura • Team leader: Kris Schaasberg • Project team: Anna Borzyszkowska, Artur Borejszo, Nara Lee, Nobuki Ogasahara, Rene Sangers, Harm te Velde

Project images

Designer's statement

Master plan for the transformation of the Leiden Central Station and its adjoining quarter, from a typical neglected station area into a vibrant new high-density neighborhood that strengthens the connection between the historic city centre in it’s south and Leiden’s Bio-Science district in it’s north.

Special care is taken to create a natural transition from the historic centre into this new high density neighborhood: the street network has a similar fine grain and scale, due to a special building typology. By combining low street façades with set back high rises, high density is created while attractive light streets, squares and green spaces are retained.

The plan comprises 1000 new houses, workspaces for local starters as well as international firms, a new extension of Leiden’s shopping-centre, a multiplex cinema, cutting-edge parking solutions and a new public transport hub including an indoor bus station and a light-rail station.

New- and enhanced connections allow pedestrians and bicyclists to travel on street level, between the two sides of the station without crossing cars, buses and trams.