Main Railway Station + Central Bus Terminal in Wuppertal
Client: City of Wuppertal
1st prize Urban design competition 2004, Completion 2018
Construction management: GKKS Architects
Pinnacle Award of Excellence, 2019
1st prize "The most beautiful station environment", Foundation “Lebendige Stadt”, 2024
Photos: Christa Lachenmaier, Axel Hartmann
The design reorganizes the existing traffic situation around Wuppertal Central Station on several levels and creates a clear and attractive urban development. A representative stand-alone building forms an ensemble together with the historic station building and the former Federal Railway Head Office, which frames the station forecourt.
The lowered main road is now crossed by a pedestrian bridge with retail space. From there, you can reach the Bahnhofspassage via the forecourt. There, the pedestrian flows are guided to the bus or train platforms.
The roofing of the central bus station is significant landmark of the new development. The roofs of the mall and bus platforms are supported by bundles of slightly tilted columns, above which glass panels illuminate parts of the station's retail arcade.
The partially perforated sand-lime brick facade of the multi-story car park and mall lends character to the new pedestrian zone in front of the station. The upper and lower squares were carved out of the rock, as was the railway line at the time when it was built. The stone facade is a reminder of this. The material color is based on the color scheme of the historic reception building. The curtain wall stone facade, along with some full glazing, forms the edge of the square and the transitional parapets above it. The perforations illuminate and ventilate the multi-story car park and parts of the shopping mall.