Metro station and pedestrian tunnel Wilhelminaplein, Rotterdam

The way Metro station Wilhelminaplein is designed by ZJA does not result in a feeling of entering a deep and sinister cave. The hall at the entrance is high and has a monumental effect. The opening in the centre of the roof and the transparent glass entrances allow daylight to stream in. Overview and eye contact are secured by the large openings in the wall between the platforms, the slender, reflecting columns and the diffuse mix of daylight and artificial light.

Being so close to the riverbank, where the train ascend from a maximum depth to the surface, the station inevitably has sloping platforms. A slight tilt in the design prevents baby strollers and wheelchairs to move towards the tracks on their own. To put the traveller at ease, the black-grey-white pixel pattern in the tiles on the walls signal this unique characteristic of the station in a casual, subliminal way, much like a visual form of ambient music.

Besides the exit of Station Wilhelminaplein leading to the courtyard in between the towers, there is a second one. One reaches this exit in front of the Luxor theatre by way of a 140 meters long pedestrian tunnel. Usually tunnels are spaces that make people feel uncomfortable or even unsafe, but this design by ZJA presents a playful and ingenious way to prevent this and turn the travel through it into an attractive and even fun experience.

For a moment the curved ceilings and perforated enamel panels on the walls give the sensation of walking around at a futuristic airport, especially with the moving sidewalks, that speed up the travel through the tunnel. Behind the panels, that also hide the acoustic padding, there are images made up of dot patterns. A computer system adjusts the LED lighting to the stream of pedestrians. All necessary equipment and installations are out of sight, offering the pedestrians an unobstructed view of this special space. Here one can recognize the design style of using smart and ambient ways to make a space functional and attractive. Without turning into a spectacle, the movement through the tunnel becomes a visually stimulating experience.