Foreign Case Study

Arnhem Central Transfer Terminal

UNStudio

In 2001, Central acquired the status from the Dutch Government as of one of the ‘New Key
Projects’ (station areas of national importance). These stations should function as catalysts for
urban renewal and economic growth.

Designed by UNS studio, The bus terminal will become the new ‘front door’ of the city,
embracing the spirit of travel, and is expected to establish as an important node between
Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. The new terminal houses commercial areas, and a
conference centre and provides links to the nearby office plaza, city centre, underground
parking garage and the Park Sonsbeek. The area around the station will become a place in of
itself, with 160,000m2 of offices, shops and a cinema complex.

The 21,750m2 Transfer Terminal features a dramatic twisting structural roof geometry, which
enables column-free spans of up to 60m in the transfer hall. Taking references from the
continuous inside/outside surface of a Klein Bottle, UNStudio aimed to blur distinctions between
the inside and outside of the terminal by continuing the urban landscape into the interior of the
transfer hall, where ceilings, walls and floors all seamlessly transition into one another.
The structure of the roof and twisting column was only made possible by abandoning traditional
construction methods and materials; much lighter steel replaced concrete – originally intended
for the station – and was constructed using boat building techniques on a scale never before
attempted.

In the development of the design, the practice used a series of conceptual structural tools to
mold the geometry of the terminal landscape to accommodate the different programme
functions. These include the use of ‘V-walls’, a load-bearing concrete structure that absorbs the
differences in the required grids and provides daylight to the below ground levels. The spaces
between these elements also form the public access from the underground car park to the other
components.
In 2001, Central acquired the status from the Dutch Government as of one of the ‘New Key
Projects’ (station areas of national importance). These stations should function as catalysts for
urban renewal and economic growth. It is anticipated that the new Transfer Terminal, which
replaces a 1950s train station, will facilitate economic growth by enabling a vastly increased
daily passenger flow to the city of 110,000 commuters per day in 2020.

Local

PITX(Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange)

Asya Design
The vision for a transport terminal throughout this part of the city arose in 2012, when
proposals were made to build three integrated transport terminals in the megacity to
provide a more unified and better linked public transportation system between Metro
Manila and surrounding areas, thus helping to ease congestion inner urban
expressways like EDSA. As such, these three terminals were to be placed in Valenzuela
to serve the North Luzon connection, Taguig for Southeast Luzon (Laguna and eastern
Batangas), and Parañaque for Southwest Luzon (Cavite and western Batangas).

The PITX is intended as a modern transportation hub with facilities and services similar
to those found at an airport. As a result, many bus companies there use its ticketing
services rather than depending on their conductors as other bus companies do. There is
also an information board that displays the bus departure times for commuters.

Besides transportation and office services, the facility also has a plethora of shopping
and dining options, which are much more diverse than one would expect. Of course,
since it serves as a stopover rather than a fully integrated transportation and
commercial facility, the space available in these stalls is small. There are also field
offices for several government agencies. The PITX is one of the few facilities in the city
with a dedicated space (the "meditation room") for people of all faiths to exercise their
faiths.

1. Lorient Multimodal Hub, France

 Lorient Multimodal Hub. Image by Didier Boy de la Tour.

Located in Lorient, France is the Lorient Multimodal Hub designed by AREP, this multimodal

terminal was built in 2017. Mainly operated as a train station this allows travel to places such as

Quimper, Brest and Paris. This however is also accessible by other means of public

transportation such as inter-city buses, and taxis; at the front and south forecourts there are

drop off areas provided. It also has facilities for car and bike parking. (AREP, 2017)
 Lorient Multimodal Hub Railway. Image by Didier Boy de la Tour.

The terminal is accessible from the main city provided by urban walkways from the platforms

and links during its open hours. This terminal also provides other spaces within the building

such as retail outlets and offices wherein people could go about their leisure time. With glass

modules with metal crosspieces between beams, it allows a view of the new TER platform, the

rail tracks, and the future north access and the historic district of Kerentrech. (AREP, 2017)

Lorient Multimodal Hub Walkway. Image by Didier Boy de la Tour.

 Lorient Multimodal Hub Site Plan. Retrieved from ArchDaily.

This structure uses materials influenced by the architectural history and shipbuilding tradition

using a combination of stone, timber cladding, ultra-high performance concrete, glazed

surfaces, and metal framing. The design of the main façade and overall building is protected

from solar radiation using fibre-reinforced double skin. This structure has won awards such as

the 2018 International Architecture Awards for Transportation. (AREP, 2017)

Lorient Multimodal Hub Elevations and Sections. Retrieved from ArchDaily.

 2. Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center, Orange County, U.S.A.

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center. Image by John Linden.

According to the Architect of HOK who made Anaheim, the Intermodal Transportation center

represents the next generation of public transportation in Southern California. The place or the

structure both serves as a terminal and also as a destination itself to go to. It aims to change

how public transportation is viewed by the people is possible because of the city and the people

who use it. With its contemporary design the structure is projected to be used by more than 3

million people annually because of the various types of transportation it holds. (HOK, 2015)
The Design aims to be an Icon in the city while being pedestrian friendly while promoting

connectivity and a vibrant, mixed-use environment. It also integrates within its design amenities

such as transit-oriented retail, Wi-Fi and charging stations, parking, bike racks, lockers,

community space and specialty dining. It is also near places of interest and destinations like

Disneyland, making it more accessible. The building is designed to be sustainable because of

the vault-shaped structure that acts in concert with advanced mechanical systems to optimize

energy efficiency. (HOK, 2015)

 Diagrid Window Modules. Image by John Linden.

Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center Site Plan. Retrieved from ArchDaily.
 ART Intermodal Center Front Elevation. Retrieved from ArchDaily.

The Intermodal Center measures up to 67,000 square feet, surrounded by various

destinations such as the Angel Stadium, Honda Center, and Anaheim Convention. It uses

materials and technological innovations influenced by the city’s sustainability goals, such as

ETFE facade technology, and metal panel rain screen systems and glass. It makes use of

convection currents and operable louvers for natural ventilation. Besides the materials and

technological advances used, the overall form of the structure helps optimize energy efficiency.

(HOK, 2015)

ART Intermodal Center Side Elevation. Retrieved from ArchDaily.

C. Al Ghubaiba Bus Station

Al Ghubaiba bus station is a major bus terminal in Dubai. It is located in Al Shindaga, a

neighborhood in Bur Dubai, just west of the Dubai Creek. The theme of the architectural design
is inspired by natural elements from the UAE environment. It features a modern design style
that combines the practical interior with the distinctive exterior appearance.
Locations for the stations have been selected to meet the needs of densely populated
residential areas in the emirate.

Three permanent stations will be constructed at Business Bay, Jebel Ali and Al Baraha in
addition to five temporary new stations at Dubai Silicon Oasis, Global Village, Meydan, Palm
Jumeirah and Al Jadaf.

The project also includes the development of road networks and junctions for the expo. The Red
Line on the Dubai Metro will also be extended by 15 kilometers from Nakheel Harbour and
Tower Station to the site of the expo.

The RTA will undertake work to improve six existing stations including Etisalat, Union Square, Al
Ghubaiba and upgrade bus facilities at the Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai
International Airport.