With 1,900 services per day, the Aix-en-Provence Bus Station could no longer meet safety and comfort requirements nor mobility needs within an evolving transport network. Its location is a major asset: close to the city-centre and to major thoroughfares, it plays an important role in public transport functioning and attractiveness and is of major significance for the city of Aix-en-Provence.
The project extends the base of the station by removing the embankment on the south side of the site. The gain in surface area together with the reconfiguration of the site allow for pedestrian areas in the heart of the site which are completely separated from vehicle circulation. The separation of flows promotes hierarchical organisation between spaces and makes them more legible for users, who can now better understand the various functions of the station. The site is composed of two parts: the south one features bus circulations and facilities while the north one is a pedestrian-only area which provides access to buses and various services and links the east and west sides of the site by an urban promenade, shaded by a line of plane trees. Natural stone benches decorate this stroll-inviting setting, punctuated by larger areas offering respite from the bustling urban environment and bringing to mind the squares of Aix-en-Provence.
At both ends of the station, arriving and departing passengers as well as pedestrians can find welcoming and easy to navigate spaces. The 2,000 sqm open-sided gallery shelters travellers from bad weather and sunlight while the kiosques interspersed all along host secure cycle storage facilities, a coach drivers restroom and a takeaway. The operational premises are located at ground level, on the main mouvement routes and close to transport activities while their below ground level floor houses the control centre. Public spaces include a ticket office with six counters, toilets and a 150m² longitudinal waiting room which runs all along the promenade. Private premises include office spaces and accomodation for station management. The architectural design is deliberately simple and consists in placing natural Castillon stone plane-parallel volumes next to one another. Their external finish is smooth and their colour-coating in line with buildings of Aix-en-Provence.
With respect to acoustic protection, sound stop panels and sound absorbing devices have been installed on a large vegetated retainment wall in an effort to help control excess noise for passengers and local residents.
The project is characterised by «openness» in order to minimize visual impact. The extraordianry location of the coach station – both close to the city centre and a gateway to it- inspired an architectural design with strong identity, a neat and meaningful space. The constructions use a 3,28m framework which brings to mind the buildings in Cours Mirabeau. The same measure is used for the platforms, the operational premises and the retainment wall and acts as an urban scale marker while promoting integration of the project in its surroundings. The gallery consists of successive arches following the same measure, crossed together in asymmetrical forms inspired by the Sainte Victoire mountain ridge, an iconic symbol for the whole region.
Contracting authorities: Pays d’Aix Territoires
Project management: AREP/ J.M. Duthilleul, E. Tricaud, IOSIS & ESIS
Delivery: 2014
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