Vienna Hauptbahnhof, Austria

Architect	Theo Hotz Partner Architekten
Date Built	2012
Location	Favoritenstraße 51
Description
Vienna's spectacular Hauptbahnhof sits at the heart of an integrated transportation hub where trams, buses and trains interface. The Wikipedia page for the station explains that, "... During the 1990s, interest arose in the redevelopment of Vienna's railway stations, particularly the Südbahnhof and Ostbahnhof termini, which were at right-angles to one another. The concept of a new integrated station that served north–south and east–west routes, ... to replace both of the existing stations, was mooted.. Around this time, Zurich-based Theo Hotz Architects and Planners were awarded an initial design contract to develop a new station solution for the area. While the plans produced by Theo Hotz do not directly correspond with the subsequently-built structure, the architects were still responsible for a large proportion of the station that was later constructed, particularly the design for both the main concourse and the platforms." "During June 2007, construction work formally commenced in the form of preliminary works, such as the remodelling of the existing S-Bahn station Südtiroler Platz. In 2008, the S-Bahn and the U-Bahn stations at Südtiroler Platz were connected to one another, while the Südbahnhof was demolished, a process which took until 2010 to complete The bulk of Südbahnhof's services were closed with the timetable change of 13 December 2009; during this transition period, Wien Meidling railway station temporarily took on many of Südbahnhof's services until the new station could be completed." *************** ************************ Perhaps the most impresive feature of the new sttation is its sculptural roof. Dan Howath, writing on the Dezeen.com website, describes it as comprising, "... 14 diamond-shaped space frames, arranged in five rows that follow the lines of the tracks and each of the platforms. Punctured in the centre by a skylight, the segments are staggered to produce a zigzagging effect over the station, and allow in light through glazing in the gaps in between. The faceted surfaces are clad in glossy, pale-toned panels, evoking the appearance of giant crystal structures."