Amsterdam Central Station

2006-04-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

It has an important position in the city. You can identify it by the old large building with a huge clock on the front and the words Amsterdam Centraal Station. On the square in front of the station busses and trams arrive from all over town.

It’s a very public space. Anybody can walk in and out. Most people have a destination, but not all of them. For some people it’s a hang out, for others it’s a shelter. There are street musicians trying to earn a bit of money.

But usually it’s a place where people get together with a specific destination. It’s possible to go away with the train, or you could go down town, maybe you have to go to work. It’s always busy, people coming and going, people saying goodbye, picking up relatives or friends, watching and being watched.

It’s a very busy place, if you want some peace and quiet you’re at the wrong place, at any time of day.

It’s a place where it’s cooler then outside in the summer and warmer in the winter. It’s pleasant to arrive here.

I like this public space, because it’s fun to look at the people walking around here. Everybody has something else on their mind.

Mark in the soccerclub-bar

2006-04-20T01:09:00.000-07:00

Designing for Public Spaces

Amsterdam Central Station

Mark in the soccerclub-bar