The Albert Cuyp underground car park has been built in Amsterdam’s De Pijp district. The facility was designed by ZJA Architects & Engineers and constructed by Max Bögl Nederland B.V. on behalf of the city authorities. The car park, which accommodates 600 cars and 60 bicycles, is concealed beneath the Boerenwetering canal, making it completely invisible from street level.
Underwater car park in the De Pijp district
Until recently, the streets of the De Pijp district were among the busiest in all of Amsterdam. The narrow roads that dominate the area, the lack of green spaces and the heavy traffic of people searching for parking spaces significantly reduced the quality of daily life in the neighbourhood. The city has found a solution. Almost all the parking spaces in the area around Fransa Halsa Street have vanished from the surface and been moved underwater. The freed-up spaces have been turned into playgrounds, rows of greenery and small squares for relaxation. The neighbourhood has been transformed beyond recognition! Pedestrians and cyclists have gained much more space, and the streets have become quieter and greener.
Engineering beneath the water’s surface
The construction of the car park beneath the Boerenwetering canal required the use of advanced hydraulic engineering. First, a watertight concrete lining was constructed for the excavation, extending below the canal bed and forming a barrier against groundwater. Water was then pumped out from inside the structure and the soil removed. A concrete slab was laid in the cleared space to prevent the structure from being pushed up from below. The resulting elements were further sealed using special membranes and expansion joint systems to protect against any leaks. Once the work was completed, the canal was restored just above the garage ceiling, restoring the original water level and the full functionality of the nearby urban space.
Underwater architecture by ZJA Architects & Engineers
The design by ZJA Architects & Engineers is based on minimising the visibility of the underwater infrastructure. The entrances have been integrated into the walkways along the canal, and all installations have been concealed beneath the surface. The entrances and lifts have been conceived as light, glazed structures on a small scale. Transparent walls allow daylight into the car park and aid orientation. The building features durable, moisture-resistant materials, including structural concrete and high-strength glass. The interior of the car park is enlivened by the rhythm of oval columns set at uniform angles.
Albert Cuyp Underwater Car Park in Amsterdam
The facility functions as a smart car park equipped with a number plate recognition system that indicates the exact parking space to the user. Each column has been given an individual marking, which further aids orientation. An important aspect of the ZJA Architects & Engineers design is its potential for future adaptation. The intermediate level has been designed in such a way that it can be easily removed. This paves the way for the car park to be repurposed for other functions once it is no longer needed.
A large-scale urban experiment
The construction of the car park beneath the canal has reclaimed a substantial, and above all, vital part of the neighbourhood’s space, previously dominated by cars. The result has exceeded even the wildest expectations. De Pijp is now an almost car-free neighbourhood, where residents use the streets as meeting places and children can play safely in front of their homes. The creation of the Albert Cuyp car park has set an example for other densely built-up cities that are desperately seeking ways to reclaim public space without having to give up parking spaces.
Design: ZJA Architects & Engineers
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