This isn’t just any station — it’s a one-of-a-kind in the Netherlands. Designed with incredible attention to detail, the building reflects the unique character of Delft, beautifully blending the city’s rich history with its innovative spirit.
Arriving in Delft is an unforgettable experience. From the outset, Mecanoo’s idea was to design a station that makes it clear to visitors that they have arrived in Delft. The station, in combination with the new city hall, sits atop a new train tunnel built in place of the old concrete viaduct that divided the city in two since 1965.
Coming up the escalators, the impressive ceiling with the historic map of Delft unfolds (in collaboration with Geerdes Ontwerpen). When you look outside, you see the city and the old station as a contemporary version of Johannes Vermeer’s painting 'View of Delft’.
A vaulted ceiling features an enormous historic 1877 map of Delft and its surroundings, connecting the station with the city hall. Within the station hall, walls and columns are adorned with a contemporary re-interpretation of Delft Blue tiles. You can walk directly from the station into the city hall.
Throughout the design process, the building volume has been shaved and reformed to create a compact, highly efficient building form. Incisions in the glass volume of the city hall building form a pattern of alleyways and courtyards, which are themselves inspired by the intricate structure of Delft.
The station’s opening marked a major milestone in the transformation of central Delft — with the railway tracks moved underground, space was made for Mecanoo’s station and city hall, as well as new commercial and residential developments.