Schoyerer Architekten_SYRA

Participation in the Day of Architecture in Hessen 2012

Structural engineering: osd – Office for Structural Design, Frankfurt

With the terminal stop of line 18, the new Frankfurt district at Gravensteiner Platz is connected to Frankfurt’s rail-based public transport network of the RMV Rhein-Main Transport Association. The station was designed as a terminal station with a central platform that opens toward the square of Gravensteiner Platz. Accordingly, the roof of the central platform expands significantly as a large T-shaped surface over the waiting area at Gravensteiner Platz. The entire stainless steel roof consists of 12 inverted shallow pyramid forms resting on circular stainless steel columns. Flush-integrated spotlights and loudspeakers within the matte shimmering roof surface, together with the T-shaped form, create the impression of a flying object when viewed from below. From above, the T-shaped roof surface, covered with grating, is reminiscent of an aircraft carrier. Beneath the widened roof area, at the interface between Gravensteiner Platz and the platform, staggered waiting areas with seating benches and wind protection elements made of laminated safety glass provide passengers with shelter from the weather, while ensuring maximum transparency and thus social control. Thanks to prefabricated roof elements, the assembly time—restricted to nighttime hours between 01:00 and 05:00—was completed within just one week. All surfaces are low-maintenance and, despite their silvery appearance, extremely durable (stainless steel, quadruple toughened safety glass glazing, flush-mounted speakers and lighting, etc.).