rombout frieling lab's interactive bus stop has rotating pods that serve as windshields

in order to reduce car usage, cities around the world are aiming to boost public transportation, incorporating electric buses and other means. in order to redesign the electric bus experience, the research institutes of sweden asked rombout frieling lab to design an experimental bus station which transforms the waiting experience, especially in the extreme climate of umeå.

all images by samuel pettersson

dubbed station of being, this bus stop by rombout frieling lab aims to free travelers from the duty of looking out for the bus and instead gives them the time to just be. to do so, the station reflects the status of the buses through a subtle spectacle of light and sounds installed in the roof that is triggered whenever the bus approaches the station. every bus line has a different light and sound configuration: buses going to an old glass factory sound glassy while voices kick off for the buses that go to the city center. the spectacle is also visible from afar, informing travelers about the buses’ statuses.

‘because of this sensitivity of the station, travelers no longer need to worry about picking up a bus,’ comments rombout frieling lab. ‘they can use the waiting time for themselves until they are politely being woken up.’

hanging from the stations roof are several pods that provide comfortable leaning possibilities. the pods also help to keep the wind away, providing comfort in the adverse conditions without the need of power. the pods can rotate, allowing users to create different configurations that cater to social encounters, or to enjoy the surrounding nature — a need that was expressed by the travelers in the design process resulting in an open space.

project info:

name: station of being

designer: rombout frieling lab 

location: sweden

in collaboration with: the research institutes of sweden – interactive umeå