The largest municipality in the Netherlands, a leading German construction company and a Dutch mould maker – these are the ingredients for an international collaboration on the construction of a new bicycle parking garage. The garage is part of the De Entree renovation project on the city centre side of Amsterdam Central Station. Max Bögl, which is responsible for the implementation of the De Entree project, called in Hendriks precon to provide formwork for the iconic columns in the garage.
The central side of Amsterdam Central Station is being renovated. Over a period of five years, the entire area from the station building to Damrak and from Kamperbrug to Droogbak will be tackled. Project De Entree has been awarded to construction company Max Bögl. With this project, the municipality aims to make the entire area clearer and more attractive. To this end, the water surface will be expanded and a new underground bicycle parking facility for 7,000 bicycles will be built. In addition, all tram tracks and stops will be renovated and made accessible for people with disabilities. All in all, the work will ensure that the historic area in front of the central station will become a breath of fresh air for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
The De Entree bicycle parking garage is located between Prins Hendrikkade and Stationsplein, more than nine metres below ground level and below the water surface. The difference in height is bridged by a monumental entrance, which takes users down to the garage via moving walkways. The wall along which the moving walkways run is designed as a quay wall with a flowing shape made of irregular basalt stone. The bicycle parking garage itself has a completely sleek and flowing appearance. This appearance is enhanced by the slender columns with their striking teardrop shape – a nod from the architect to the location below water.
Max Bögl approached Hendriks precon to produce these double-curved columns. The columns are 3 metres high. They fulfil an important visual and signalling function in the large open car park. The architect therefore set high standards for the surface quality of the concrete.
In close consultation with Max Bögl, Hendriks Precon designed a steel formwork consisting of two identical parts, one fixed and one mobile. Forming the complex, semi-parabolic shape from sheet steel requires a great deal of craftsmanship and inventiveness. The solution was found by partially bending and cutting the steel to join the resulting steel origami pieces together into a flowing whole.
The two steel mould sections are bolted in place before pouring and are reinforced with reinforcement also supplied by Hendriks Precon. A working platform is provided at the top of the formwork to ensure that reinforcement and pouring can be carried out safely. Max Bögl is producing a total of 129 columns for the bicycle parking garage.
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