Interview (PDF)

Interview Dornbirn, 15 December 2020

Zumtobel Group Award: 01 Then and now – Checking in with Ben van Berkel and his 2017 award-winning Arnhem Central Station project

“A strong and worthy winner of the Urban Developments & Initiatives category”, this is how the Zumtobel Group Award’s jury concluded their statement on Ben van Berkel’s Arnhem Central Station project in 2017. In celebration of next year’s Zumtobel Group Award (ZGA) we want to highlight once again the extensive significance of this project, which not only had an impact on the city, but also on the people of Arnhem.

The idea was set – a public transport hub, connecting parts of the city and accommodating the needs of the ever growing city. The master plan, created by UNStudio in 1996, had to face vast economic, financial, social and political changes and a radical transformation in materiality before construction could be started in 2006. This is one of the many reasons, why the ZGA jury chose the Arnhem Central Station as the 2017 winner in the Urban Development category, “the striking persistence of Ben van Berkel and UNStudio in safeguarding the Arnhem Central Station through a series of significant challenges to completion is exemplary. The project proves the necessity of continuous involvement and engagement for sustainable solutions”.

Combining necessity with leisure, transport with a stay, a fast paced world with a sustainable concept – those are the key aspects of the Arnhem Central Station. The complex functions as public transport hub and seamlessly incorporates office space, retail, a new station hall, a platform roof structure, a railway underpass, a road tunnel, storage for bicycles, and parking space, making the area a vibrant hub. “The station with its additional structures has a far-reaching impact beyond its own presence and provides smooth and direct access for travellers and other user groups, turning it into a sophisticated hub, a defining piece of architecture and a forward-looking urban complex”, concluded the 2017 Zumtobel Group Award’s jury.

How significant this project still is and how the Arnhem Central Station developed over the last few years was shared with us – Ben van Berkel, the mastermind of this award winning project reflects on its impact on the people and city of Arnhem:

Do you feel the Arnhem Central Station acted like a stimulus for further developments of this kind? Ben van Berkel: Yes, certainly. In the past, station areas could quickly become very isolated, unappealing parts of the city with very negative connotations. But what we learnt from the Arnhem Central masterplan was that if developed holistically, with an urban approach, they could generate a new form of social liveliness. Recently we are increasingly hearing about the benefits of such an approach in infrastructure and aviation projects. Particularly airports are now being developed (or redeveloped) as mini-cities, with added programme such as housing, office, retail and leisure offerings as part of their overall masterplans. This is important, not just to enliven the surrounding areas, but to ensure multiple revenue streams and thus, resiliency.

How did your project add to these developments? Ben van Berkel: So, when we designed the masterplan for Arnhem Central Station, we wanted to turn what had previously been a typical mono-functional train station, into a full-scale transfer hub with additional programme. In addition to connecting the two areas of the city that were previously separated 02 by the train tracks, we also created a large, celebratory central waiting hall with panoramic views to the city that acted as a connector for multiple modes of transport. We also added programmes to the masterplan that would enliven the area, such as retail, F&B, office buildings and a cinema complex.

How has the Arnhem Central Station developed in the last two years? Ben van Berkel: The liveliness of the area surrounding the station has continued to develop. People are not just using the area in order to catch a train, It has also become a destination for work and leisure.

Any new experiences gained? For any future projects? Ben van Berkel: We saw the masterplan for Arnhem Central as a way to enliven and activate the area of the city where the station was located and that is what happened. We have since adopted this approach for numerous other projects. Not just transfer hubs, but also high-rise mixed-use projects, which require a similar compact masterplan approach, such as FOUR in Frankfurt and the Southbank project in Melbourne. The idea of celebrating travel through architecture by going beyond the utilitarian purpose was also something we brought to our design for the Doha Metro Network and that we bring to our airport designs today.

Something you would like to tell us about the last two years in relation to the project? Ben van Berkel: We are very happy that the project has been so well received by the public. Local politicians are also pleased with how the station has turned out, as it has helped to develop a brand for the city, which creates a fantastic opportunity for the further development of Arnhem.

Ben van Berkel, UNStudio. Required to mention copyright: Els Zweerink

Information This interview and the accompanying high-resolution images can be downloaded at: Link

Zumtobel Group Award 2021 Public call for our international architecture award is open now The Zumtobel Group Award – Innovations for Sustainability and Humanity in the Built Environment, is curated by Aedes Architecture Forum Berlin and is being launched for the sixth time this year. The driving force behind the award always has been and continues to be the significance of innovative solutions in architecture and urban planning that embrace reduction of global energy consumption and boost overall quality of life. The award confirms the Zumtobel Group's commitment in addressing key issues of our time and reminds us of the importance of sustainable architecture for the future of humanity. The competition offers two categories, Buildings and Urban Developments & Initiatives. For the first time, there is also the chance to win the Special Prize for Innovation. The Zumtobel Group invites architecture practices, universities, technology start-ups, NGO's and other public or private initiatives to submit their current projects until 15 March 2021. Visit z.lighting/zumtobel-group-award

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