Nature Meets Mobility: Ede-Wageningen Train Station Redefines Sustainable Transport Hubs

Mecanoo and Royal HaskoningDHV shape the future of mobility at Ede-Wageningen train station

Crafted by Mecanoo and Royal HaskoningDHV, the innovative multimodal station immediately immerses passengers in nature as they step off the train.

Situated in central the Netherlands, the city of Ede is home to nearly 120,000 residents and is renowned for its close access to Veluwe National Park, a stunning 55 km² landscape of heathlands, sand dunes, and forests.

In 2008, ProRail and the Municipality of Ede initiated plans to expand the Ede-Wageningen train station, anticipating significant property development nearby that could boost daily passenger traffic to approximately 25,000 by 2030. The redesigned station aims to enhance passenger services, improve functionality and safety, and incorporate sustainable design elements.

Designing a canopy of leaves

The station’s standout feature, a wooden roof inspired by a tree canopy, combines elegance with clean lines, seamlessly uniting the transport hub’s distinct sections for clear navigation from all directions. Comprising 23 wooden triangles, each spanning 27 meters, the roof features columns and nodes that each bear unique orientations and substantial weight loads, preserving both structural integrity and architectural vision. Triangular skylights allow natural light to illuminate the platform and guide passengers toward the pedestrian tunnel.

Drawing inspiration from the nearby Veluwe landscape, the design incorporates complementary natural materials—wood, stone, glass, and steel—alongside robust architectural detailing. This approach ensures a design that is both enduring and timeless, seamlessly integrating a sense of nature within the train station environment.

Creating a sense of place

In addition to a stunning design, functionality was central to the design team’s integrated approach. The team unified every aspect of the passenger experience, incorporating intuitive spatial wayfinding to ensure seamless movement throughout the station. By harmonizing with the station’s natural surroundings, they crafted a strong sense of place that greets passengers as soon as they step off the train.

“Our aim was to make this design sustainable on many levels – ultimately encouraging greater use of public transport for today and the years to come. By creating seamless transitions between numerous modalities – including cars, bicycles, and pedestrians – our design with changing daylight and different materials, this is public transport that passengers can truly enjoy. We have created a place where they feel comfortable in a calm and peaceful environment; a place to be, rather than just a place to go.” explained Kirsten Colenbrander, Architect at Royal HaskoningDHV.

Protecting endangered species

The design process also required careful attention to ecological needs. For instance, a substation was preserved to serve as a bat sanctuary, complemented by optimized lighting to support local wildlife. Additionally, the rare cricket species Eumodicogryllus bordigalensis, which thrives exclusively along railway tracks, played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape design near the tracks, ensuring the preservation of its natural habitat.

Prioritising comfort and safety

The station prioritizes traveler safety and comfort in its design. Retail spaces are conveniently positioned at the south entrance of the pedestrian tunnel leading to the platforms. From these platforms, travelers have clear visibility of all transport options, including the station square, bus terminal, drop-off area, taxi stand, and bicycle parking.

An expansive indoor bicycle parking area has been incorporated into the design, with a capacity for up to 5,500 bikes. A pedestrian and cycling bridge on the station’s eastern side offers breathtaking views of the Veluwe. By strategically organizing key functions, the design enables seamless transfers between various modes of transport, establishing Ede-Wageningen as a genuinely sustainable transport hub.

The new station is now operational for passengers, while construction is ongoing for the parking garage, surrounding landscaping, and a new pedestrian and bicycle tunnel connecting Ede and Wageningen beneath the railway. Completion is anticipated by 2026. These developments will firmly establish Ede-Wageningen station as a prominent gateway to Veluwe National Park.

“The station’s design is inspired by the Veluwe National Park. The composition of the timber canopy, stepping up and down, reminiscent of the experience under the canopy trees in the Veluwe forest. Our goal was to design an efficient transportation hub, but also to connect people with nature, offering a very pleasant atmosphere for all users.” added Rodrigo Louro, Associate Architect at Mecanoo.

About Mecanoo

Mecanoo, officially founded in Delft in 1984, is made up of a highly multidisciplinary staff of creative professionals from 25 countries. The team includes architects, interior designers, urban planners, landscape architects as well as architectural technicians. Mecanoo has extensive experience designing and realising exceptional buildings which serve client ambitions while creating vibrant end-user spaces. Each project responds to our philosophy of People, Place, Purpose, Poetry: to the client’s requirements and the user’s needs (People); the physical context, climate and culture (Place); and the current and predicted potential of a building’s function (Purpose), creating designs that touches all the senses (Poetry). www.mecanoo.nl.

About Royal HaskoningDHV

Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent consulting engineering company integrating engineering, design, consultancy, software and technology to deliver more added value for clients. Through our mission Enhancing Society Together, we take responsibility for having a positive impact on the world and contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Backed by the expertise of over 6,000 colleagues working from offices in more than 20 countries, we are helping clients with challenges ranging from climate change and digital transformation to changing customer demands and the energy transition. www.royalhaskoningdhv.com.

Ede-Wageningen Train Station Redefines Sustainable Transport Hubs Gallery

Project Details

• Programme: Train station 15,000m2 with retail, offices, waiting rooms, loading bay, public facilities, and bicycle parking with 5,500 places; Park & Ride of 16,300 m2; station square and bus square of 8,600 m2; 1.2 hectares of landscaping. 
• Design team: Mecanoo and Royal HaskoningDHV. Mecanoo developed the sketch and preliminary design (2014-2016), and Royal HaskoningDHV carried out the modified preliminary design up to and including completion (2016-2026). 
• Consultants: Vakwerk Architecten (aesthetic control during realisation phase 2021-2025). 
• Realisation: 2022-2026
• Client: ProRail, Municipality of Ede, NS
• Fun fact: Ede-Wageningen is home to bats and a rare species of cricket which lives only in railway tracks – the Eumodicogryllus Bordigalensis – both of which required adaptations to the design to ensure their habitats were retained.