Rotterdam Centraal Station is more than a place to catch a train—it’s a landmark of Dutch design and a prime photo spot in the city. This article focuses on the front of the Grand Station Hall, where sharp lines, reflective materials, and constant motion create strong editorial frames.
Team CS and the Design Vision
The station was designed by Team CS—a collaboration between Benthem Crouwel Architects, Meyer en Van Schooten Architecten, and landscape designers West 8. It blends the functionality of an international high-speed hub with Rotterdam’s vision for progressive urban renewal.
A European Transport Hub With Big-City Energy
With high-speed links toward Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom, Rotterdam Centraal is a gateway for visitors arriving in the Netherlands. With 110,000+ travelers a day, it needs to be practical, spacious, and comfortable—yet still feel inviting. That mix gives the hall a big-city rhythm and makes it ideal for street/urban photography that celebrates daily life at scale.
“Station Kapsalon”: Rotterdam Humor in Architecture
Rotterdammers give almost everything a nickname. The station’s shiny roof is often called “Station Kapsalon,” because it resembles the aluminum trays used for the famous Rotterdam dish. A kapsalon mixes fries, shawarma, salad, sauces, and melted cheese—born in Rotterdam-West and now found across the country. The joke stuck to the station’s futuristic roofline.
Warm Wood, Harbor Stories, and a 40-Meter Screen
Inside, the generous arrivals hall uses wood cladding to soften the scale of the space and give newcomers a warm welcome. A 40-meter-wide LCD screen plays footage of the Rotterdam harbor, linking the station to the city’s maritime identity. It’s a strong backdrop for portraits, silhouettes, reflections, and motion blur—especially when you contrast the moving screen with still figures in the foreground.
Light Design and the “Rembrandt Effect”
In the South Hall, seven skylights and mirrored roof elements steer natural light into the interior. As the sun shifts, beams sweep across the hall—often described as a “Rembrandt effect.” Custom lighting helps keep that atmosphere in early mornings and evenings, when the hall becomes a clean mix of warm tones and sharp shadows.
History Preserved, District Renewed—and How to Shoot It
Rotterdam Centraal also nods to its past: the original entrance clock and typography were preserved, and the sculpture nicknamed the “Speculaasjes” remains a playful reference to the 1957 station by Sybold van Ravesteyn. Team CS also shaped the Rotterdam Central District, weaving the station into the city’s cultural axis and 24-hour economy.
Photo tip: shoot the façade slightly off-center to emphasize the angles; a wider lens helps capture the roofline. Arrive early for clean geometry, then return at rush hour for layered moments and leading lines. From the Grand Hall entrance to the warm interior glow, Rotterdam Centraal rewards photographers who love structure, light, and people in motion.