West Enterence Amsterdam Central Station

Challenges of a monumental building

Working on a historic building always presents unique challenges. For the West Entrance at Amsterdam Central Station, our tasks included expanding the corridor, installing a new landscape staircase, and adding two elevators. These efforts required utmost care to maintain the station’s monumental character. During the preceding demolition work, we used active support structures to stabilize the West Entrance. This created new space for the updated configuration.

Throughout the jacking process—precisely raising or shifting sections of the structure—every movement was meticulously monitored to prevent damage to the old station. Pressure monitors allowed us to instantly detect any changes in load distribution, ensuring the station’s structural integrity.

After installing the final steel structures, we built a series of arched support pillars in the building’s original style. These enhancements ensure that Amsterdam Central Station can handle the growing number of passengers for decades to come.

Sustainable work in a busy environment

This project was carried out in the heart of a functioning station in the nation’s capital. Passenger safety and uninterrupted access were paramount during the construction. Working in such a restricted environment required precision, particularly when transporting materials through the station’s narrow corridors.

To minimize the environmental impact and disruption to travelers, we invested in electric equipment. For instance, we used a Hoeflon C6e spider crane, which operates entirely on electric power, producing no harmful emissions. Similarly, our compact electric crawler carrier transported steel components and was small enough to navigate the station corridors without undue strain on the building or its users.

Collaboration and flexibility

The West Entrance project at Amsterdam Central Station is an excellent example of how steel construction and jacking techniques can complement each other in a complex environment. Working in phases, we collaborated closely with various stakeholders, enabling us to adapt quickly to unforeseen circumstances. The combination of indoor work and the constraints of a monumental structure made this a challenging but highly successful project.

At Rijnstaal, we take pride in our ability to integrate innovative solutions with respect for history and sustainability. This project highlights our flexibility in meeting the unique demands of every construction project without compromising safety or quality.