La Elíptica wins first prize in the competition to build the central square of the Murcia del Carmen station.
Designed by Javier Peña Galiano with his architecture studio XPIRAL innovative answers, in collaboration with the sustainable development agency ADN urbano led by Gerardo Sánchez Romero.
La elíptica a new Urban Compass
The new square at Murcia's central train station will be called La elíptica, a project that defines not only how to balance the capital of Murcia, but also regenerates a hitherto chaotic and disconnected environment, as the surface transit of the Murcia del Carmen station has recently been buried. The new elliptical square transforms the old track areas and the old station into a space where you feel like being, walking and meeting. Where before there was fragmentation and disorder, now there is a coherent and vibrant place that forms the backbone of the urban fabric, connecting the historic centre of Murcia with its southern neighbourhoods and giving prominence back to the Segura River. The elliptical pergola, like a great architectural embrace, structures the space, protects it from the sun and noise, and generates a friendly landscape where vegetation, water and light dialogue with technology to create a comfortable microclimate. More than a square, the elliptical is a new urban setting where railway history is re-signified, integrating elements that connect past, present and future. Cultural spaces, shaded areas and convivial zones turn the square into a hub of life and activity, where travellers and neighbours share a dynamic and welcoming environment. Likewise, the presence of Smart devices and photovoltaic energy reinforce its sustainable identity, optimising resources and guaranteeing its energy efficiency. This new urban heart is not just a passage between destinations, but a destination in itself: a place to be, to meet and to build the Murcia of the future, more cohesive, green and innovative.