R AINBOW STEPS

foster connection and recognition in Zuidas

From the day Marianne van Lochem visited the Delta Works artificial island of Neeltje Jans as a child, she knew she was born to be an architect. After working in a monodisciplinary architecture firm for several years, fifteen years ago her career path led her to Arcadis, a multidisciplinary firm where she holds a job she loves. As technical manager for the Zuidasdok program organization, Marianne is always thinking about and shaping ways how architecture can contribute to our social landscape. One of her most recent contributions is the ‘Rainbow Steps’ at Zuidplein.

What was the idea behind the Rainbow Steps, and how did the concept take shape?

“It started with a sentiment. In 2020 Amsterdam was experiencing a turbulent time with several violent incidents towards queer people. People responded by flying pride flags on a large scale. This gave me a definite sense that as a community Amsterdam had grown. It signaled that so many people felt outraged over senseless violence and wanted to express their solidarity. In those days the city decided it wanted to accomplish a permanent pride flag, and of course Zuidas is a brilliant place to do that.

The massive building activities of Zuidasdok make the area potentially confusing for travelers to navigate. Since 2017 a glass canopy over a staircase has been signalling the new location of the taxi stand and tram and bus stops. When I started talking to the city about a permanent spot for a rainbow flag, the idea arose to use this staircase for that purpose. My conviction as a designer is you don’t have to do much. We applied colours to the glass and the sun does the rest.

What is the message you want to send?

“The rainbow colours form the spectrum of light. Without light in all its aspects we cannot live on earth. On a sunny day rainbow colours appear on the stairs under the canopy. This cheerful pattern changes with the path of the sun and it affects all people who walk on those stairs. Sometimes you need a little help to recognize the beauty in a stranger. To see you are surrounded by all sorts of colourful people creates a sense of connection and thus safety.”

What has the response been?

“We got loads of enthusiastic reactions, but the nicest compliment for me personally was one I got from a fellow architect. He said, ‘Marianne, that rainbow canopy is brilliant. Among the largely grey buildings it is like a poppy from the concrete.’ ”

What projects are you working on at the moment?

“As the technical manager I am leading the design team working on the creation of the new Amsterdam-Zuid station. One project we’re currently working on is The Transformer, exploring if existing materials can be reused to create new designs.”

Where did your passion for architecture start?

“Honestly, I’ve always felt like my passion for architecture is innate. For a while, though, I felt conflicted about the profession I was working in, because the architecture world is populated mostly by men. I felt a deep connection with this world and that even led to doubts about my identity as a woman. Nowadays there are many more women working as architects. It is important that the world we live in is not only shaped by men, but also by women. The Zuidasdok program offers me an opportunity to do so, and to inspire others along the way.”