Remise Lekstraat, Tram depot in Rivierenbuurt, Netherlands
Remise Lekstraat occupies an entire city block with a curved facade running along Kromme-Mijdrechtstraat, featuring steel-framed windows and copper-edged entry doors. Inside, three parallel glass-roofed light wells run the length of the structure, supported by an internal framework of timber trusses and steel columns.
The depot was built between 1927 and 1929 to replace an earlier wooden structure and later expanded in two construction phases. These additions allowed it to house significantly more trams and substantially increase the city's transportation capacity.
The relief sculpture by Hildo Krop at the entrance displays a detailed tram and bus network map from the 1920s. This artwork reflects an era when streetcars formed the backbone of city transportation.
The depot follows a clear traffic flow pattern where trams enter from Amsteldijk and exit onto Lekstraat, serving multiple routes across the city. This one-directional design allows efficient movement and organization of vehicles within the complex.
The building was designed in the Amsterdam School style and displays organic curves and crafted details that reflect this movement's philosophy toward functional beauty. This makes it a notable example of industrial architecture that valued aesthetic care alongside practical purpose.
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