Foster + Partners’ plan for the Ourense FFCC Station in Galicia, Spain is to bring together high-speed rail and bus stations in a major urban intervention. This will open pedestrian links between the districts on either side of the tracks and create a new public plaza for the city.
The existing railway line is being upgraded to accommodate high-speed rail links in the region, something the recently revealed design takes into consideration. The plans call for a new station that caters to the increased passenger numbers created by the high-speed rail and creates a framework for a new transport interchange. Included in the new terminal will be a direct connection with the adjacent bus terminal, a new urban square in front of the station, and a pedestrian walkway and public park over the tracks.
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
The addition will be made from concrete plates and slender columns that match the color of the existing station’s granite. The new concrete plates will provide shelter from rain and high temperatures common to the area’s summers. The roofs are designed as a modular system requiring minimal maintenance with the capability of accommodating future expansions.
A new portico highlights the entry canopy and will feature cafés and shops. The front of the station will spill directly onto a new urban square. Meanwhile, the internal lobby will be reconfigured to create a space filled with natural light and triple-height ceilings. Historic frescoes on the upper portions of the walls are being retained and restored.
Rendering courtesy of Foster + Partners.
Wayfinding through the station has been improved via clear visual connections from the check-in stations to the trains. Additionally, a direct internal connection to the bus station creates an easy link to the city and surrounding area.
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