Bahnhofplatz Winterthur

Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug

Bahnhofplatz Winterthur

Stutz Bolt Partner

PHOTOGRAPHS
Michael Haug

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Winterthur, Switzerland

CATEGORY
Bus Station

Text description provided by architect.

The Station Square of Winterthur is located on a strategic location between the old city, the train station and an upcoming retail and office district. Almost 100’000 people cross it every day as pedestrians – at the same time it’s the heart of Winterthur’s city bus lines.

Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug
Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug

Before the redesign of the square there were several canopy constructions in barrel shape, built in the 80s. They over-filled the square with their high number of roof elements, columns and equipment. The old city was hidden behind this canopies and the square was divided into zones.

The new project is unifying the square and we worked hard to keep the pedestrian level as open as possible, for a better orientation and to generate generosity. For this reason we created a big roof construction without visible columns.

Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug
Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug

Also all the overhead lines are fixed directly on the roof and create a floating grid. The minimal and precise roof body brings a clear new organization of the urban space and stands as a welcoming sign for arriving visitors of Winterthur.

The project’s most important and defining element, the sculptural roof, has a cantilever of up to 34 meters (112 feet). It’s asymmetric base contains a ticket kiosk and is built out of 6 steel pillars, each taking weights up to 1200 tons.

Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug
Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug

Already in the competition phase, architects and engineers worked very closely to conceptualize the light steel structure. A laser perforated aluminum skin dresses the structure and allows the daylight to shine through.

Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug
Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
© Michael Haug


Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
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Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
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Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
Situation
Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
Site Plan
Bahnhofplatz Winterthur
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