UNS established its very first office in the heart of Amsterdam, driven by a singular vision: to design spaces that shape the way people live, work, and connect. Over 35 years later, this vision has propelled us into a global design and consulting practice, integrating diverse disciplines to understand human needs and create meaningful, healthy experiences.

Despite our global growth and expansion beyond traditional architecture, UNS has always remained deeply connected to its home city.

As Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary in 2025, the city is hosting a year-long series of events to mark this extraordinary milestone. Among the highlights, the A10 ring road will transform into a vibrant space for festivities, including a 7.5-kilometer run and a festival along 15 kilometers of car-free highway. This momentous occasion offers the perfect opportunity to revisit UNS' research and vision for the A10, exploring how this vital infrastructure can evolve to better serve the city and its people.

The A10 ring road has long been a defining feature of Amsterdam’s urban fabric, yet it also presents challenges as a barrier between neighborhoods inside and outside the ring. Recognising this, The Royal Institute of Dutch Architects (BNA), in consultation with the Rijkswaterstraat and Amsterdam City Council, a multidisciplinary team consisting of UNS (architects/urban designers), Goudappel Coffeng (mobility consultants), GeoPhy (data specialists) and 2getthere (automated transit systems) collaborated on a study that examines the future potential of the integration of infrastructure and city development around the area of Amsterdam’s A10 ring road and the Lelylaan area.

We developed a vision for the A10 that integrates infrastructure with urban development. This includes the creation of multimodal mobility hubs, such as "The Hub" at Lelylaan, which would enable seamless transitions between private and public transport, foster sustainable mobility solutions like self-driving CityPods, and provide vibrant public spaces for community interaction.

The proposal also envisions new housing developments, flexible traffic management systems, and energy-efficient technologies that transform the A10 into a dynamic and sustainable part of Amsterdam’s future. With the potential to deliver 8,400 new homes and 750,000 m2 of real estate, this vision not only addresses the city’s growing needs but also reinforces UNS' commitment to innovation and cultural understanding in the Netherlands and beyond.

As Amsterdam looks to its future while celebrating its rich history, UNS is proud to contribute to the dialogue about how the city can continue to grow sustainably and inclusively. Our research into the A10 reflects our deep investment in bringing innovation and cultural understanding to our roots in Amsterdam, ensuring that the city remains a place where people can thrive for generations to come.

Together, we can imagine a more connected, sustainable, and vibrant Amsterdam.