Infrastructure

An open, contemporary entree to the city – this is the image projected by the transformed Central Station, with an attractive new plaza that shapes visitors’ first impressions of Chemnitz. The former station concourse from the 1970s was stripped down to its supporting structure and ostentatiously opened up to the surrounding cityscape. The result is a fluid public space sheltered beneath an “urban canopy” and extending beyond the concourse to link what was once a contained space with its urban setting.

The theatrical nature of the space. Subway station is an important spatial node of the city. People transition through underground and surface spaces, traveling from home to work, social places, and consumer spaces. The beginning and end of urbanites’ days are connected to this place, serving as the optimal link between starting point and destination. This link is like a theater, where stories are constantly unfolding.

Narrative definition of space. We define this space not only as a transitional transportation node but also imbue it with narrative and richer expressions. Apart from carrying local expressions, there are also different connections and collisions between people and scenes, resulting in new stories and new cultures.

The Interface de Transportes Lourosa – Fiães is a transport interface, located on a plot of land with around 11,500m2 on the border between these two parishes, comprises a vast parking and manoeuvring area and a support building of around 500m2, which was chosen to be located perpendicular to the road that gives it access. This location allows a better integration into the existing topography, and also clearly separates the access to the car park at east from the buses access at west, so there are no crossroads or possible conflicts between cars and buses traffic.

The new footbridge with an elevator, which replaces the original overpass from 1981, provides barrier-free pedestrian access from the Municipal Office to the city center and enhances the route across the busy I/35 highway.