Located in the heart of the Netherlands, the city of Ede has a population of almost 120,000 and is famous for its proximity to the Veluwe National Park – a 55 km² natural haven of heathlands, sand dunes, and woodland. In 2008, ProRail and the Municipality of Ede set out to expand the Ede-Wageningen train station in the face of planned property development nearby, estimated to increase passenger numbers to around 25,000 passengers per day by 2030. The new station design would provide expanded services, functionality and safety for passengers, and sustainability in design.

As the most iconic element of the station’s design, the wooden roof mimics a tree canopy. It boasts visual simplicity and sophistication, uniformly connecting the various quadrants of the transport hub, ensuring orientation from all sides. The roof is composed of 23 wooden triangles, each measuring 27 metres long. Almost every node and column faces a different direction, carrying a significant force load while still maintaining the architectural ambition. The triangular skylights allow daylight to fall on the platform and lead passengers to the pedestrian tunnel.

Inspired by the local Veluwe landscape, the use of complementary natural materials such as wood, stone, glass and steel, together with the robust architectural detailing, make the design not only durable but also timeless, bringing a sense of nature into the train station itself. Alongside beautiful design, functionality was also at the core of our combined approach. The team connected all elements of the passenger journey, embedding intuitive spatial wayfinding into the designs and enabling people to move around quickly and easily. By embracing the station’s surroundings, it was possible to create a true sense of place from the moment passengers step out of a train.

The station has been designed for the safety and comfort of travellers. Retail units are located at the south entrance of the pedestrian tunnel that gives access to the platforms, and from the platforms themselves, all transport modes can be seen: the station square, bus square, drop-off zone, taxi, and bicycle parking. A large indoor bicycle parking facility has been integrated into the design and can accommodate up to 5,500 bicycles, together with a pedestrian and cycling bridge to the east of the station – which provides an unrivalled view of the Veluwe.