Foster + Partners’ plan for the Ourense FFCC Station in Galicia, Spain is to bring together high-speed rail and bus stations in a major urban intervention. This will open pedestrian links between the districts on either side of the tracks and create a new public plaza for the city.
The existing railway line is being upgraded to accommodate high-speed rail links in the region, something the recently revealed design takes into consideration. The plans call for a new station that caters to the increased passenger numbers created by the high-speed rail and creates a framework for a new transport interchange. Included in the new terminal will be a direct connection with the adjacent bus terminal, a new urban square in front of the station, and a pedestrian walkway and public park over the tracks.
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
The addition will be made from concrete plates and slender columns that match the color of the existing station’s granite. The new concrete plates will provide shelter from rain and high temperatures common to the area’s summers. The roofs are designed as a modular system requiring minimal maintenance with the capability of accommodating future expansions.
A new portico highlights the entry canopy and will feature cafés and shops. The front of the station will spill directly onto a new urban square. Meanwhile, the internal lobby will be reconfigured to create a space filled with natural light and triple-height ceilings. Historic frescoes on the upper portions of the walls are being retained and restored.
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
Wayfinding through the station has been improved via clear visual connections from the check-in stations to the trains. Additionally, a direct internal connection to the bus station creates an easy link to the city and surrounding area.
Related Stories
| Sep 10, 2014
Ranked: Top transit facility sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Leo A Daly, URS, and Skanska head BD+C's rankings of the largest transit facility sector design and construction firms, based on the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 9, 2014
Using Facebook to transform workplace design
As part of our ongoing studies of how building design influences human behavior in today’s social media-driven world, HOK’s workplace strategists had an idea: Leverage the power of social media to collect data about how people feel about their workplaces and the type of spaces they need to succeed.
| Sep 3, 2014
Ranked: Top local government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
STV, HOK, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest local government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Sep 3, 2014
New designation launched to streamline LEED review process
The LEED Proven Provider designation is designed to minimize the need for additional work during the project review process.
| Sep 2, 2014
Ranked: Top green building sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
AECOM, Gensler, and Turner top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest green design and construction firms.
| Sep 1, 2014
Ranked: Top federal government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Clark Group, Fluor, and HOK top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest federal government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 20, 2014
Seattle's King Street Station thoughtfully restored [2014 Reconstruction Awards]
After years of neglect and botched renovations, King Street Station sparkles once again.
| Aug 11, 2014
Air Terminal Sector Giants: Morphing TSA procedures shape terminal design [2014 Giants 300 Report]
The recent evolution of airport terminals has been prompted largely by different patterns of passenger behavior in a post-9/11 world, according to BD+C's 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 6, 2014
25 projects win awards for design-build excellence
The 2014 Design-Build Project/Team Awards showcase design-build best practices and celebrate the achievements of owners and design-build teams in nine categories across the spectrum of horizontal and vertical construction.
| Jul 28, 2014
Reconstruction market benefits from improving economy, new technology [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Following years of fairly lackluster demand for commercial property remodeling, reconstruction revenue is improving, according to the 2014 Giants 300 report.