morphosis brings a new transportation hub and station to vigo, spain

vialia vigo intermodal station opens in spain

Morphosis has unveiled its newly completed Vialia Vigo Intermodal Station in Vigo, a scenic coastal city located in western Spain. The Los Angeles-based global firm led the design transformation of the local rail station into a vibrant cosmopolitan center and multi-modal transportation hub. With its innovative plan and a wide range of facilities, the station aims to support various mobility options while promoting the city’s social and economic growth.

The transportation hub serves as a link for different modes of transportation. The complex houses a new high-speed railway that links Vigo to Madrid and the broader region. Additionally, it provides convenient access to the adjacent bus station, a massive car park, dedicated cycling lanes, and pedestrian connections. By integrating these diverse transportation options, the station offers a comprehensive and efficient network for commuters and travelers alike.

images © Roland Halbe, courtesy Morphosis

morphosis strengthens the coastal city’s infrastructure

In addition to its transportation functions, The Morphosis-designed Vialia Vigo Intermodal Station also serves as a vibrant social hub. The architects collaborated with local firm BDU Arquitectura, L35, retail operator NHood, and railway infrastructure manager ADIF to create a space that fosters social interaction and economic activity. The station complex features a variety of new public, retail, and commercial spaces, including a sprawling 30,000 square-meter public plaza. The public plaza offers a diverse range of amenities for visitors and residents, including skate parks, sports courts, and open spaces adorned with native plants. This thoughtfully designed plaza provides an opportunity for leisure and recreational activities, enhancing the quality of life for the people of Vigo.

responding to the mountainous coastal terrain

Nestled amidst the mountainous coastal terrain, the Vialia Vigo Intermodal Station is designed by Morphosis to integrate into its surroundings. The station’s design gracefully negotiates a 17-meter drop in elevation between a hillside neighborhood and Vigo’s city center. The station’s six-story roof-scape creates a stunning public plaza that overlooks the sea. This plaza is filled with native plants and includes activity areas and pavilions that provide access to the lower levels of the station.

Below the plaza, the shopping center is organized around a spacious atrium illuminated by skylights and a multi-story window that frames the view of the port. The main entrance and drop-off point for the train station, bus station, and shopping center are located on the lower level. Here, an urban-scaled marquee featuring the station’s name welcomes visitors and sets the tone for their experience.

preserving the city’s history

Morphosis respected the historical significance of the original station by preserving its facade and relocating it alongside the new entrance. This act not only highlights the architectural heritage of Vigo but also serves as a point of interest for visitors. By seamlessly integrating the original facade with the new design, the architects have successfully bridged the past and present, paying homage to the city’s rich history.

‘The development positions Vialia Vigo as the new metropolitan center of the city and links it to the broader region,’ says Morphosis Founder and Project Design Director Thom Mayne. ‘As a primary destination point, the project expands the opportunities of the site’s cliff condition by building a connection between the bay and existing town; for example, the roof deck acts as an elevated piazza, providing views outward and space for commercial activity. The station redesigns the city by broadening the implications of architecture as urban connective tissue.’

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project info:

project title: Vialia Vigo Intermodal Station

architecture: Morphosis | @morphosisarchitects

location: Vigo, Spain

completion: 2023

photography: Roland Halbe | @rolandhalbe

design director: Thom Mayne

partner-in-charge: Brandon Welling

project managers: Charles Lamy (Phase 1), Crystal Wang (Phase 2)

project designers: Hunter Knight, Daniel Pruske, Ben Toam,

project team: Jessica Chang, Debbie Chen, Katherine Corsico, Kabalan Fares, Stuart Franks, Janice Kim, Jennie Matusova, Stephanie Rigolot, Go-Woon Seo, Aleksander Tamm-Seitz, Natalia Traverso Caruana

advanced technology: Cory Brugger, Kerenza Harris, Stan Su, Atsushi Sugiuchi

project assistants: Fredy Gomez, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Darlene Ifeorah, Ilko Iliev, Matt Lake, Eric Lawler, Owen Merrick, Eric Meyer, Jean Oei, Danny Ortega, Yugin Sim, Alan Tai

partner architect: B+DU Estudio de Arquitectura

partner principal-in-charge: Begoña Diaz-Urgorri, Leon Benacerraf

partner project architect: Alicia Berenguer

partner project team: Alicia Bautista, Manuel Cifuentes, Elisabeth González, Martín González-Garcés Mediero, Teresa Goyarrola, Borja Herrero, Eider Holgado, Agustín Sánchez, Esther Vidal

associate architect: Coot Federico Sotomayor (Phase 1), L 35 (Phase 2)

project management: Riofisa Sau

structural engineer: Fhecor, Luis Casas

MEP engineer: Inypsa Sa