The new bus station is a part of the large-scale revitalization of the Tilburg public transport hub. It is fully tailored to the comfort of the travellers and to a clear and pleasant traffic flow. The facility is situated on the west side of the train station, roughly at the place that also occupied the former bus station, but with the location of the former Tilburion apartment block included on the far west side.
The basic setup consists of a series of very thin columns with an evenly minimalistic awning structure on top of them. The construction forms a triangular circuit with a length of over 160 meters and an open space in the centre. The bus positions are arranged around the outer side; six for boarding and one for deboarding. The awning circulation runs from 14 to 30 meters width in total and has two offsets in its contour.
These are primarily functional and align with the urban context, but visually, they also resonate elegantly with the monumental roof structure of the train station. This also has an articulated structure and moreover seems to float, just like the bus station awning. The setoffs divide the overall structure into three segments. In the centre of every segment, there is green plantation surrounded by a sitting edge for the travellers. On the wide end of the circuit, the centre additionally contains a pavilion. This houses a staff canteen for the bus drivers, a public transport service point and a commercial space that has to find its function yet. An elevated terrace adjoins this commercial space.
The spacious awning all around fully covers the bus platforms and additionally part of the buses. Thus, travellers can always board and deboard sheltered and protected from rain. The structure consists of a steel framework covered with ETFE-foil. The lighting is fitted above this foil. During the day, the awning filters the sunlight, while during the dark hours, it becomes one large and spacious lighting element that strongly adds to the travellers’ feeling of safety.
Source: archdaily
Pictures by cepezed / Lucas van der Wee
