liège-guillemins railway station - sncb europe Gare des Guillemins-Liege (Click for larger view)

Liege-Guillemins TGV Railway Station

LIÈGE-GUILLEMINS TGV STATION 2009 Design: Santiago Calatrava Project

Description The city of Liège is now a major node in the European

high-speed rail network, which links England, France, Belgium, and

Germany. When the city’s existing station had to be replaced, as

unsuitable for the demands of high-speed rail travel, Euro Liège TGV

issued a request for proposals from European architects. Santiago

Calatrava received the commission to design the new Liège-Guillemins

station, largely because of his vast experience in the field, in

projects such as the Lyon-Satolas air-rail link and the Oriente

station in Lisbon. Calatrava conceived the station as a link between

two distinct areas of the city of Liège, which previously had been

separated by the railroad tracks. On the north side of the site is a

rundown urban area, laid out in a typical 19th century scheme. On the

south side, on the slopes of the Cointe Hill, is a less dense,

landscaped residential area. Calatrava’s design bridges these two

areas with a 200 m (656 ft) passenger terminal, built symmetrically

about a northwest-southeast axis. The arched roof of the terminal

building extends over the five platforms for another 145 m (476 ft).

The station is three levels high on the urban (north) side, stacking

an access footbridge and a level of rail platforms. At the level of

the Place de la Gare (under the platform), a strip of commercial units

helps to reinforce the streetscape. These units include the Passenger

Hall on the main axis, with the ticketing area on the left and a

bar-restaurant on the right. On the hill (south) side are five levels:

three levels of parking, a vehicular access deck linked with the

access footbridge, and a raised pedestrian walkway. Transparency is

achieved by means of the monumental vault, constructed of glass and

steel, which allows for a sense of interpenetration between the

station and the city. The pedestrian bridges and a walkway under the

tracks allow for fluid communication between the two sides of the

station. Particular attention is paid to the architectural detailing

of these transitional spaces. The project has no facade in the

traditional sense, since the interaction between interior and exterior

is seamless. The monumental roof becomes, in effect, the project’s

facade. To an observer on the hill, the roof reveals something of the

inner organization of the station. To an observer within the station,

the structural arches of the roof frame the views to the outside. From

any vantage point, the sensation of transparency prevails. Because the

metal frame of the station must be put in place without disrupting

train service, a technique normally employed in bridge construction is

being used. The principal frames are assembled in an area away from

the trains, located at the proposed Place de la Gare. At night, the

frames are pushed in groups of six onto the principal supports. Once

the principal roofs are in place, the two canopies can be assembled in

position and glazed. Thanks for comments.

Sadegh,

had I seen this image first I would have loved it. But now I am spoiled by having seen the amazing colors of one of your other images from the same train station. So I am always asking - "What am I missing?"

It is certainly an impressive structure and you took some amazing photographs of it.

Christoph

Sadegh,I like the series you did with this subject and each one is to admire and see this excellent architecture lines.Also in each of it I like point of view you had and light caught,very good work.

Dear Sadegh,

Wonderful job here! Beautiful POV and crystal clear...a striking image.

Tim

A great graphic shot. Love this and the colour shot. Well seen and executed, best wishes William.

Gran imagen

Thank you all for your comments and ratings. Best regards/Sadegh