One of the world’s largest underground bicycle parking garages has been built in front of The Hague Central Station in the Netherlands. Its unconventional interior concept transforms parking your bike into a museum-like experience. The radical redefinition of the typology enhances comfort and safety for the thousands of daily users while promoting cycling as a healthy and sustainable way of life.

For many reasons - the climate crisis and Covid-19 among them - bicycle use is rising across the world. Cycling is often the best means of transport for short distances: good for people and the planet. The Netherlands leads by example by constructing storage facilities that help to incentivize cycling, especially in conjunction with mobility hubs. On average, 40 percent of commuters travel to the train station by bike. At some stations, this is even 70 per cent. A good connection between bicycle and train is therefore an essential link in the urban mobility network.

Many bicycle parking facilities in the Netherlands are underground. Moving bicycle parking off the street level creates a more pleasant public space. However, low ceilings, a lack of daylight, repetitive layout and no views of the surroundings make underground parking usually very unpleasant. The parking garage in The Hague has been designed to completely transform this essential service by creating an unexpected and exceptional spatial experience. Instead of being a place you would rather avoid, it becomes an attraction not to be missed.

The extra high, bright white ceiling, smart directional markings, spacious aisles, and back-lit glass walls create an immersive experience like visiting a futuristic museum or a space-age airport. The integrated application of light and experiential graphic design makes the facility appear more spacious. Moreover, the visual interventions support the intuitive orientation, making it easier to find back your bike at the end of the day.

The eclectic architecture of The Hague forms the basis for one continuous artwork on the light wall that encloses the parking facility. Facade elements of iconic buildings are subtly woven together into a 1,040 square metre large, awe-inspiring urban landscape; a luminous metamorphosis. When you cycle past it, you experience the city’s skyline in one smooth movement. With more time, you can explore all individual referenced buildings.

The design quotes historic buildings and works by esteemed contemporary Dutch-based studios and international architects. Using a coarse grain and different hues of greys make the artwork look like an actual pencil drawing while allowing for an even diffusion of light. The angle of light in the illustration matches the actual light behind it, dramatically enhancing the appearance of depth.

With room for approximately 8,000 bicycles and rental bikes, the facility offers a service-oriented, future-proof, and free – in the first 24 hours. Beyond that, its futuristic awe-inspiring design makes it a unique destination in its own right, drawing visitors from across the world.