Functional requirements of the project
AREP analysed the passenger flow between the station, the forecourt and the two existing coach stations in the region
and suggested rationalised itineraries taking into account the new access to the platforms via an underground tunnel south of
the railway station. The areas dedicated to pedestrian flows have been markedly expanded while intermodal facilities in the
immediate vicinity of the station (car parking, coach stations, drop-off areas, taxi ranks) have been preserved.
The chosen plan implies relocating the regional coach station a bit further south and turning the forecourt in front of the original
station building into a pedestrian-only area. The creation of a car park south of the station offsets the consequent loss of parking
space.
AREP in conjunction with Luxembourg Railways defined that the functions of the new concourse should be:
- to improve the reception and facilitate passengers’ transfer waiting time
- to create a second access to the station linked to the original concourse
- to design vertical sheltered circulations receiving natural light.
These requirements were central to the definition of the perimeter of the new concourse which consists of a large canopy
sheltering the southern accesses to the station and a large opening on the lateral façade of the existing concourse. These
amendments were adopted after consultation with the National Historic Monuments Department.
At the same time, the forecourt was redesigned in order to host the exchange hub facilities and improve pedestrian circulation.
Paved in Hainaut blue stone, it is set to become the new gateway to the city.
Architectural choice
The new concourse acts as a functional and architectural extension to the existing station while clearly revealing interiors and
exteriors of the original building. As requested by the National Historic Monuments Department, all of the architectural interventions
are reversible.
Unifying the volumes
The original station is characterised by volumes at different heights which create an organized and at the same time free composition.
Some parts were added on after the construction of the original building. The station is divided into two parts: on one
hand, the belfry rising above the main entrance of the building and on the other hand, the lower parts dedicated to passenger
services. The technical facilities to the south of the building complete the existing construction running alongside the new coach
station.
The new concourse is an extension to the process of playing with different forms while contrasting sharply with the original
building both by its structure and by its materials.
Enhancement of the existing station
AREP designed a lightweight structure, slightly higher than the original roof. It runs along the original façade of the station,
revealing its features and transforming it into a background for the new concourse.
The structure is made of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), a transparent and supple polymer ideal for the finer structures and
flexible forms of the project.
Rows of long slim metallic columns support the ETFE structure made of diamond shaped mesh which echoes the form of the tiles
and stained-glass windows of the original station. Its outward curve ensures a smooth transition between the pedestrian level
on the forecourt and the façade. The bowed part of the roof between the two rows of columns underlines the aisle leading to
the existing waiting area.
Taking advantage of natural light
In daylight, the station's variable density screen filters the light and the view and gives passengers the impression that they are
both inside and out in front of the original façade while sheltered by a mesh ceiling.
The lighting was set up by 8'18's design and technical team in conjunction with AREP. By day or night, the lighting features
enhance the original station by revealing the stone façade while softening the visual impact of the concourse. In the shade, the
color and the lightweight structure of the concourse enable it to fade away and the original façade is brought to the front by soft,
indirect illumination.
Contracting owner: CFL (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois)
Project management: CIE / AREP (Jean-Marie Duthilleul, Etienne Tricaud, Christophe Chevallier, Nicolas Cheval)
Design and technical teams : INCA (representative). 8'18'' (lighting)
Delivery: september 2012
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