b'Rotterdam wants to becomeThe current public entranceThe buildings maximum a stronger, more attractive city.area has a large number ofheight is 25 m. This requirement The ambition is to transformsignificant shortcomings.relates to the height of the the station area into a full- Pedestrians, trams, and carsadjacent Groothandelsgebouw, grown part of the city. If thisconstantly getting in eachwhich is a monumental building is successful, the entire areaothers way. In the new plan,with great significance to the surrounding the station will bethere needs to be more freecity.able to grow into a strongerspace, both inside and around residential district, as part of athe station. It should become a building varied inner-city environment.with five facades: the fifth The new station has a key role toThe total functionalfacade is the buildings roof, play within this ambition. program for the station buildingwhich can be seen from the encompasses approximatelysurrounding high-rise buildings.The [new] building has to be6,000 square meters of an icon, a grand gesture withgross floor area. The hallsSelection of requirements.respect for the human scale.volume must accommodateSource: Municipality of From the platforms to thethis program while assuringRotterdam (2003), Programme Weena [large street in frontthat there is sufficient spaceof requirements Rotterdam of the station], it must be anfor circulationthe userscentral station.architectural whole. It is antrajectories and their spatial absolute requirement thatoverview should never be the architectural expressioncompromised by the space is appropriate for a city likerequired by the commercial4Rotterdam. functions. it should also be a place of significance in the daily routines of the city dwellerIt is the reception hall where Rotterdam welcomes its guests. It is their first contact with the city. Meeting, waiting, picking up should all be possible. As a public building, it must have its own sense of place.Photo: Jannes Linders, courtesy of MVSA'