THE NEW CENTRAL STATION IN BERLIN
The new train station has just been inaugurated in Berlin: 175,000 s.m., 15,000 s.m. of shops and restaurants, 50,000 s.m. offices and 32,000 s.m. platforms for 30 million passengers every year and 25,000 people every day, make the Berlin Lehrter Hauptbahnof the largest station in Europe.
Designed by the important German Studio GMP – Von Gerkan, Marg und Partners, the Lehrter is more than a station, it is a throbbing public centre, a meeting and work place well integrated into the urban fabric and surrounding Spreebogen government district.
The project involves two large arched buildings facing east-west, intersected in the centre by the large hall ( 45 x 159 m) in a north-south direction. The transparent glass and steel structure gives a wonderful view of the nearby Moabit district and the government buildings.
The station is built on different traffic levels: the highest level at + 10 m and the lowest at – 15 m (inside a tunnel beneath the River Spree and the Tiergarten), 6 tracks above ground and 8 below.
The platform roofing is an example of the elaborate and expert use of steel: the rolled steel arched profiles are extremely flexible and strong and are placed lengthways at a distance of 1.50 – 1.70 m, with longitudinal cross bars that form a square grid. Each module is stiffened transversally by steel cables and covered with glass. The combination of vaults, longitudinal girders and transversal cables has created a spectacular “shell” structure, an impression of size and strength which is yet lightweight and sinuous just like a shell.
Natural aeration is given by the vaulted shape, the hot air rises upwards and is forced out of the openings in the roof ridge.
For large spans like this, antiglare glass has to be used to guarantee total shade and correct lighting along the platforms. In fact, light is one of the cardinal points in this project: special openings have been created along all the levels of the central area to allow the natural light to flow in and light up the spaces, including the underground, with totally natural light.
Six panoramic lifts complete the fascinating atmosphere of the constant hub of activity in this new public building: aerodynamic cylindrical structures in steel and glass that are detached from the building, and give rapid links to the north and south platforms.
Marzia Urettini
Acciaio Arte Architettura N.37 – March 2009
