The design follows closely the guidelines of the masterplan by Claus and Kaan architects, which envisioned the “hedgerow landscape” along the railway as a means to create a qualitative entrance to the city.

At the south side, along the train tracks, it features a sequence of higher triangular buildings in a park, aligned like a zigzag “hedgerow landscape”. At the north side, along the new Stationslaan, the ensemble presents itself as a continuous city wall that relates in scale, material and height to the oppositely situated neighborhood Belcrum. The high density and varied program creates a dynamic city environment which promotes the sharing of facilites by different users and urban encounters.ĥTRACKS is designed as an ensemble of three buildings with two identities: one towards the city and one towards the railway. It accommodates a mixed program with living, working, recreational and commercial facilities. 5TRACKS is one of them, forming the final piece of large scale development on the west side of the station. That gives the chance to redevelop the (former industrial) sites situated north of the rails into a prolongation of the city centre, a new meeting place of the city.

The new world-class station terminal now bridges both sides of the rails, connecting the previously isolated northern side of the city in a seamless way to the historical centre. Following the arrival of the high speed train from Amsterdam, the entire station district of Breda has undergone a complete urban renewal.

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