The new facility at the front of Amsterdam Central Station was designed by wUrck to feel like “an underwater world, where light rays that falls through the ‘water surface’ give a reassuring feeling”.

Oriol Casas Cancer, wUrck architect and partner, said: “In the past, bicycle parking facilities had to be purely functional. Nowadays it is viewed differently. A bicycle shed must be attractive to use and give a comfortable and safe feeling.

“The bicycle parking facility at Amsterdam Central has the additional inhibition that it is located deep underground. The reason for this was that in this way an open view of the station would remain and additional public space could be created for the city.”

He added: “The concept for the design was an oyster with a rough outside and smooth inside. Gradually we have further crystallised the water theme.”