Station Square, Fribourg, (1st Prize, Competition)
The Fribourg train station is a central public transport hub in one of Switzerland’s fastest-growing agglomerations. Serving as a link between the city center and four adjacent urban districts, the station plays an important role as an urban connector.
In our winning project, the creation of a large, continuous urban space between the old and the current station buildings was central. This integrated urban approach not only allows numerous new developments to be better incorporated into the station area but also creates new spatial relationships between the surrounding neighborhoods.
Instead of a large bus terminal, the design consolidates the 10 city bus and trolleybus lines into a dynamic system, embedding the stops within the neighborhood structure. This approach frees up space at the station plaza.
The station buildings are better highlighted by the open plaza, which in turn enhances the city’s legibility and wayfinding. A restrained choice of materials, traffic management compatible with the urban environment, and an avenue structure emphasize the urban space. Access to the neighborhoods is direct, easily reachable, and clearly identifiable.
With Tinguely’s fountain, the plaza gains an important identity marker. The space thus transforms from a functional transport hub into an attractive urban plaza.
Urban Boulevard Dietikon