Almere Station

On either side of the entrance to Almere Central Station, two vacant symmetrical office buildings are being transformed into housing. The facades of both four-story buildings will be stripped and two extra stories are added to the existing structure. A sustainable solution, because in this way the skeleton and foundations of the buildings are reused and a varied new living environment is created around the station.

The buildings will soon offer space for 67 flats varying in size from approximately 65 m2 to 140 m2. The design pays a great deal of attention to the quality of life of future residents. For example, the majority of the flats will be maisonettes with living and outdoor spaces oriented towards the sun.

As part of the redevelopment, the existing passageways under the buildings have been closed off. A new high passage with commercial spaces will soon connect the Stationsplein with the Busplein. These will match the design of the superstructure in terms of appearance. The shops and restaurants under the housing complexes of the Ymere housing corporation at the Stationsplein will also be upgraded with new facades and canopies.

Paul de Ruiter, architect: "The new passageway logically connects the station with the bus station. Transforming the offices into homes and renovating the shops on the square will give a new impetus to the station square."

In addition to the smooth façade with its strict rhythmical division on the railway side, playfully recessed windows with large frames look out onto the square, so that it will soon be lively here even outside the opening hours of the shops. The new architecture completes the square. This will not only make it attractive to live in but will also enrich street life.