New Building Bus&Railway Terminal

Gotha, Germany

Photo © Michael Miltzow

Photo © Steffen Gross

Photo © Michael Miltzow

Architects: Osterwold°Schmidt

Location: Gotha, Germany
Year: 2007

The new Bus and Tram Terminal in front of the main station stands for the reurbanization process in the territory of the former German Democratic Republic. The new terminal allows to change from rail to bus or tram under a 50 x 50 m roof with photovoltaic paneels on the top and stretched light ceiling above the platforms and waiting areas. Tadmore metallic aluminium paneels, amethyst recycling glass contrast with the wooden terraces, clinker wall seats and the planted oaks, which are a reference to the thuringian woods touristic region, the final destination of the tram.

The facade and roof cladding of the terminal consists of PVDF-coated aluminum Curtain walling elements, spatial modules with amethyst-colored, double U-shaped profiled glass.The steel roof structure is located to 6 m high with electropolished stainless steel-clad Tubular steel supports.

Direct assigned, protected open spaces based on wood furniture terraces like an "urban“ Living room create a new quality of public space in front of to the railway station.

The idea to cover about 900 square meters as a complete light ceiling, increases the perception attention and security in the low illuminated environment during the evening and night hours. It was the first outdoor use of the polymer stretch ceiling as permanent surface material to cover traffic functions.