Muri Train Station

Due to deliberate settlement development, the municipality of Muri is growing rapidly. With nearly 10’000 inhabitants, it is now almost considered a small town. The challenges reflect this growth: the strong, decentralized expansion with low-density residential and employment areas has led to a very high volume of car traffic on the internal road network. The restructuring of the centrally located station area presents a unique opportunity for modern and future-oriented local development.

Accordingly, the concept proposes targeted densification around the train station: if not here, then where? Especially at this central location, new forms of mobility are possible and high traffic generation can be avoided. This new development can also strengthen the town center. In addition, the investment in buildings can help finance various components such as a new bus terminal, the design of the station square, and an underground parking garage. A dense yet small-scale typology is sought, one that mediates between village and small town and refers to the historic urban villas. Valuable existing buildings are integrated into the new structure and are given special prominence in the public space. The semi-enclosed building layout creates two inner courtyards protected from noise. Many existing trees can be preserved. The good accessibility, visibility, and high pedestrian traffic from public transport make the area attractive for commercial and public uses, while still allowing for a high proportion of housing. The bus terminal is part of the path network and is laid out in a linear and extremely compact way directly along the tracks. It forms the representative gateway of the new station quarter along the railway and allows visual connections between the railway, the quarter, and the monastery complex. The cantonal road, as the historic address of the monastery garden, becomes a fully valued public space.