van belle & medina sculpt pavilion-like tram stations throughout antwerp

flemish architects van belle & medina present the design of three brick tram traction stations across antwerp. the collection, commissioned by de lijn, the public transport company of belgium, the three electrical cabins provide power to the new tram line in northern antwerp. the three different locations take part of a larger whole entitled ‘brabo2: the new tram line from rooseveltplaats antwerp to luchtbal and the eilandje area.’ the three different locations and technical requirements inform the three different buildings by responding to the characteristics of each particular setting — the luchtbal station in a small park in a residential area, the tjalkstraat station under a bridge next to a bus park, and the sraatburgburg station along the crossroads opposite of zaha hadid’s port house.

luchtbal station

each of the van belle & medina architects-designed tram stations does more than house technical installations. with their sweeping brick volumes they are transformed into pavilions, introducing poetry into the difficult urban sites. the project contributes to an urban narrative, creating unprecedented views of the landscape, examining what sustainability means and exploring the boundaries of what the architectural discipline stands for. the stations are designed taking into account the urban and landscape qualities of its context. the symbiosis between site complexity and infrastructure, gives as a result three different objects with three different architectural identities and urban meaning.

luchtbal station

van belle & medina architects‘ pavilion tram stations become part of the urban fabric of antwerp. their forms and expressions reimagine the dialogue between architecture, infrastructure, and nature. each building is positioned on the site in order to give enough freedom of use around it, respecting the surrounding landscape elements and including them into the planning organization of the buildings. the design team aims to achieve a certain coherence, an image that is at once contemporary and timeless, and that will instinctively belong to its location. the ambition of the project lies in forming an up-to-date image as a landmark for the user and the visitor.

luchtbal station