24 Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena, saving 4 train-free periods with LED

Commissioned by ProRail and GVB (Amsterdam Metro), the installer installed the new sustainable LED lighting at Amsterdam Bijlmer Arena station. A quarter of the station is a GVB metro stop. We worked with GVB to restore the iconic lightscape as intended by architect Grimshaw & Partners.

The fixtures are difficult to reach under the 17-metre-high undulating canopy and above the high atriums. The up and downlighters hanging from pendants on the (train hall) roof cannot be replaced without decommissioning and de-energising the overhead line. The halogen lamps were being replaced every 2 years during an out-of-service period, which would cost around € 200,000. If lamps failed before that time, they could not be replaced. As a result, there was a lot of overdue maintenance in 2020.

The uplighters intended to make the undulating (train hall) roof visible at night were often dirty. With the new uplighters, the wooden acoustic (train hall) roof is once again beautifully illuminated in amber at night while highlighting the architecture a lot better.

An aerial platform cannot reach above the escalators. Thanks to an hand winch in the attic of the canopy, we can now easily lower the downlighters for maintenance and cleaning.

The new LED lights will last for more than 10 years, making the scene look as intended again for a decade to come while saving 4 out-of-service periods.

Tips and conclusions:

– Up and downlighters were left in zone A here, because LED has a 10-times longer lifespan.

– The architectural plan and suspension structure have not changed as a result.

– In hard-to-reach places, fixtures can now be lowered with a hand winch.

– Do not use an electric winch, as it often breaks down after 2 years.

Opt for extra long lifespan (e.g. 100,000 hours). The extra cost pays for itself through reduced maintenance costs.

Amaturen 48x

Armatuur aanlichting dak

Kast aansluiting/sturing

Aansluitkast in stationsgebouw (schakeling dimming zekering)

Kabel over dak

Kabel over het dak, +\- 574m lengte (in pijpleidingen verhoogd t.o v het dakvlak)

Amaturen 48x

Kast aansluiting/sturing

Kabel over dak