's-Hertogenbosch Centraal

Shape the future of Den Bosch Centraal

The redevelopment of 's-Hertogenbosch's train station, Bosch Centraal, is a crucial project that will shape the city for decades. Architecture firm TeamV has presented initial impressions featuring a modern design, but these plans are not yet final. This gives us the opportunity to advocate for a design that better fits the city’s classical architectural character.

's-Hertogenbosch is known for its rich historical streetscape, and such a key landmark should complement rather than contrast with its surroundings. A design competition allows for a broader exploration of architectural approaches that balance tradition with modern functionality.

We’re calling on architects, designers, and creatives to propose an alternative vision for Bosch Centraal—one that blends modern functionality with the city’s rich architectural heritage. This is your chance to design a station that not only meets the needs of today’s travelers but also respects the historic character of Den Bosch.

Design criteria

Submit your design by sending it to our e-mail adress info@architectuuromslag.nl

Timeline

21th of April

Design competition revealed

5th of July - 23:59 CET

Deadline for submitting your design

11th of July

Voting period ends

12th of July

Winner will be announced through social media

Why a design competition?

Because the current plans for Bosch Centraal fail to reflect the architectural spirit and identity of 's-Hertogenbosch. This is a city defined by its layered history and distinct visual identity—narrow medieval streets, Gothic spires, red brick buildings, and the sculptural clarity of the Bossche School. Its architecture is rich in texture, rhythm, and narrative, shaped over centuries with care and craftsmanship. The proposed design, with its sleek, modern materials and generic form language, risks standing apart from this context rather than belonging to it. It’s a missed opportunity to create a station that feels truly connected to the city it serves.

That’s why we’re launching this competition: to invite alternatives that respond thoughtfully to Den Bosch’s unique architectural character. We’re looking for designs that do more than function—they should resonate with the city’s past and contribute meaningfully to its future. Whether through material choices, spatial gestures, or references to local traditions and stories, we believe Bosch Centraal can become a contemporary landmark that feels rooted in place.

What we wish to accomplish

With this competition, we aim to do more than express dissatisfaction - we want to offer a constructive and creative response. We believe that the future of Bosch Centraal should be shaped by architecture that is rooted in the local identity of 's-Hertogenbosch. Rather than accepting a design that feels disconnected from the city’s historic character, we hope to spark alternatives that are inspired by its rich architectural tradition - designs that could only belong here, in Den Bosch.

Our goal is not just to oppose, but to enrich the conversation. By presenting concrete alternatives, we want to move the discussion beyond technical and functional concerns, and bring architectural quality, historical continuity, and cultural resonance into the spotlight. This competition is a way to show what’s possible - and to invite others, especially the people of Den Bosch, to join in that vision. We hope to keep the debate alive and evolving, encouraging dialogue between architects, planners, policymakers, and citizens alike. In doing so, we aim to ensure that Bosch Centraal becomes not just a transit hub, but a place that reflects and respects the soul of the city.

Our Jury

Mieke Bosse

Architect at Scala Architecten

Mieke Bosse is an architect at Scala Architecten in The Hague, the Netherlands. She has extensive experience as an architect is the former chair of the dutch chapter of INTBAU, a network organisation in the field of traditional building, architecture, and urbanism. As well as playing a part in the creation of the “Let’s build a beautiful city” Summer school in Utrecht.

Joep Broeren

Architect at HEEMarchitecten & Chair of Intbau-NL

Joep Broeren is a local architectect from Den Bosch. Owner of the firm HEEMarchitecten. He was recently appointed as the new chair of the dutch chapter of INTBAU. He is also conducts research for Stichting Moderne Traditie

Vincent Veneman

Architectural Designer

Vincent Veneman is a practising, self-taught architectural designer who specializes in classical and traditional design. Vincent is a board member of INTBAU Netherlands and one of the organizers and lecturers of the “Let's Build a Beautiful City” summer school in Utrecht. Next to architecture, he also works in music and has degrees in trombone, jazz music, composition and arrangement.

Associate Director at Katharine Pooley

Pablo Álvarez Funes

Pablo Alvarez Funes is an experienced architect based in London, UK, currently working at Katherine Pooley Ltd, after having worked at Stanhope Gate Architecture as Associate Director for many years. He is also Director of Education at the Classic Planning Institute.