Museumplein
Other sites
With its spectacular ground-level layout by the Danish landscape architect Andersson, the new Museumplein is incontestably one of the most beautiful 'squares' in The Netherlands.
It also boasts a first with the underground garages for buses and cars, the bus garage being linked directly to the Rijksmuseum basement storage. Besides an underground supermarket, the new Museumplein also provides space for facilities which include two aboveground pavillions which accommodate a cafe and a museum shop.
Recreational function
Partly putting the road traffic underground has resulted in a drastic decrease in the pressure on parking and the amount of traffic, which not only enhances the accessibility of Museumplein but also makes it possible for the square to fullfil a recreational and cultural role. This has made it pure gain for skaters, inhabitants, pedestrians and visitors to the various unique institutions on and around the square, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Concertgebouw and the Stedelijk Museum. People were also put centre-stage in the design of the underground car parks. The architect Cees Spanjers took the human dimension as his starting point. One of the results of this approach is a void that allows daylight into the car garage, greatly increasing the feeling of safety.