a fluid new railway station is designed for vilnius by zaha hadid architects

zaha hadid architects in vilnius

dubbed ‘green connect,’ zaha hadid architects‘ winning competition entry will shape the new railway station of vilnius. the proposal will host integrated civic spaces and transportation infrastructure, all defined by fluid geometries enveloped by nature.

in line with the city’s ongoing sustainability agenda, the project will combine new construction with adaptive reuse — the new public bridge over the railway tracks that connects the naujininkai district to the south with the city center and vilnius old town. in this way, the team will transform the existing rail infrastructure from a barrier that divides the city into a connector that unites it.

images © zaha hadid architects

bridging the city

the team at zaha hadid architects reuse and renovate the original vilnius station creates a new concourse bridge. this space marks a contemporary reinterpretation informed by the existing heritage building.

the composition of the station’s new bridge gradually transforms along its length; from the pitched roof defined by the existing neoclassical station’s triangular pediment into softer geometries and volumes that reduce in scale to land at pelosos street in the naujininkai district. a linear skylight along the length of the bridge and glazed facades over the railway tracks provide natural light and intuitive navigation through the concourse.

the landscaped railway station

zaha hadid architects’ new concourse bridge is 46 meters (150 feet) wide and spans 150 meters (492 feet) across the railway platforms. supported 10 meters (33 feet) above the tracks, the fluid forms of the bridge’s roof structure and the terraced landscape of the bus terminal are constructed in locally-sourced laminated timber that is lightweight, fire resistant and incorporates low embodied carbon.

nature-based solutions are integral to the design. green roofs, landscaping by LAND srl and planting will lower temperatures in summer and provide heat insulation in the winter. creating an interconnected series of natural habitats within the city, these urban green spaces are easily accessible and can be enjoyed by communities throughout the year to enhance wellbeing and interaction.