The new tramway IJtram connects Amsterdam Central Station with IJburg, a suburb built on artificial islands to the east of town. The commission to design facilities for this rail connection included all bridges, tunnels, platforms, stairways and railings. Eight stops along the line have each been given their own identity, depending on their surroundings.

Tram stop Rietlandpark is an open indentation 18 feet deep. At both sides the tram disappears into tunnels underneath roads and another tram line. From the north, the lawn of an office complex gently slopes down till it reaches the platform. Broad steps make this place into an amphitheatre facing the sun. The other platform across the tracks is backed by a massive retaining wall made of basalt stones.

Town planning, traffic infrastructure and architectural design of open public space come together here to create one Gordian knot that, this time, doesn’t need to be cut to solve the problem.