Stadtbahnstation Rathaus Süd

Stadtbahnstation Rathaus Süd in Bochum is one of three Stadtbahn facilities that form the Bochum Rathaus station. Since the original plan to connect all three stations underground by a huge concourse had been discarded, there was a drastic simplification of the traffic links and thus of the leeway given for the station’s construction.
The underground station is a large-volume, column-free space with a supporting tiled reinforced concrete slab ceiling. 13 prismatic glass bodies penetrate the ceiling and the road surface so that daylight can flood the station. The glass bodies consist of three layers; the middle one made of pre-crushed glass to make for a crystalline appearance. The 110m long, column-free space is penetrated by two structures: the inclined glazed lift from the platform to the surface and the glazed bridge on which the No. 306 crosses the station.
The station’s walls are made of exposed concrete, with the concrete faced with layered glass along the platform. The glass walls are partially crushed and backlit so that the crystalline impression can be seen through the glass. Through a special arrangement of slits between the glass packs, the glass also makes for noise control.

Awards:
Architekturpreis NRW 2007 (BDA NRW), Auszeichnung

Author: editorial baukunst-nrw
Last changed on 22.10.2007

Categories:
Architecture » Public Buildings » Transportation (railway stations, airports)
Engineering » Transportation