Nowadays, travelling from one place to another has become a crucial part of our routine. During this commute we spent 10-15 mins at least at a bus station or a bus stop. As architects, public spaces should be designed in such a way that they become fruitful, something could be learnt waiting for that bus, an experience can be added to these spaces which make our everyday to and fro journey worth a while.
1. Christchurch Bus Station in New Zealand design by Architectus
Christchurch bus station was designed after the 2011 earthquake in New Zealand. This interchange bus station was a catalyst which revitalized the city centre along with public space experience. The idea behind the design was fluid pedestrian movement and compact transport hub, consuming minimal space of the centre. Colombo street was the starting point for bus station design with 16 bus bays provided to be parked connecting the Lichfield street. To understand the parking and reversing techniques. Allocation of space provision was decided after seeking consultation from the drivers this helped in deriving the reversing bus bay apron. On Colombo street, retail and food stores along with cycle and luggage storage areas are provided in glazed spaces to have a continuous view of the transition in the space.
Influenced by the neo-gothic architecture form and the material of the building along with a folded gable roof and skylights were designed to bring in daylight. Integration of urban design and cultural context along with the bus operators input put all together is seen in this Christchurch bus station.
2 . Union Station Bus Deck Pavilion in Washington DC by Studio Twenty Seven Architects
An emerging city centre situated next to the Beaux-Arts’ garage there was a space crunch in the city. This garage houses a bus station with three pavilions, consisting of a ticket counter, waiting area, and utilities. The first pavilion is a rock shaped fabricated fibreglass structure with a ticket counter and a shopping kiosk. The waiting area overlooks the open-air deck with bamboo planters made up of wood and glass helps in controlling the interior weather. With trains running below the bus station at a set off distance recycled shipping containers are placed which serve as toilets in the station.
3. The Bus Stop of NCTU in Taiwan by Chu Studio
NCTU is a premium university that is enrolled by various students from far away places. To make their commute easier a Bus Stop was designed at the South gate parking lot. With 1.2 meters of level difference, Split Level Design method was used to mitigate the site difference. Planes in the form of platforms were placed with a semi-open structure, which responded to the sports facilities like basketball and tennis courts situated next to the bus stop. The roof was merged with the ground with landscapes and planes acting as staircase takes one to the top canopied by fig trees.
There is no designated seating space provided at the bus stop, a series of platforms placed at different levels gives the users liberty to sit, lie down. This freedom is exaggerated further by the landscaped roof with hammock and seating platforms acting as steps providing the freedom to interact and also watch a match.
4. Bahnhofplatz Winterthur in Winterthur by Stutz Bolt Partner
Here the context plays an important role, as it is placed at a gyratory of the old city, railway station and an upcoming retail district located at the heart of Winterthur’s city bus line. With a prominent history from the ’80s this gyratory had several canopy structures filling the square dividing it into different zones. When a redesign was proposed the significant essence of the square was kept intact by providing a fluid continuous movement which united these zones. With a floating roof structure and free ground, a sense of arrival experienced by the travellers. The ticket kiosk with steel column carries the weight of the entire sculptured roof. An additional element was provided in the underpass for drivers. This houses recreational rooms, wardrobes, and sleeping rooms for the drivers.
5. Puerta De Moguer Bus Stop in Spain by Ahaus Arquitectos
An entry gate to the city of Moguer also serves as a bus stop with minimalist construction. This structure acts as a canopy connecting the train station and opens up with a fold towards the main road also protects people from rain, sun, wind etc. This bus stop also functions as an entry gate during a fair conducted in the town hall’s fairgrounds. The bus stop is a reflection of the experience of Moguer city which is slender, light, minimalist, full of light and shadows, a poetic experience is added to the design.
6. Messe Frankfurt in Germany by Tor Nord / Ingo Schrader Architekt
A semi-open structure also acts as an entrance gate of Frankfurt trade fair, is designed in such a way that it becomes a statement of its own. The fairground is surrounded by orthogonal buildings, but here the architect has designed an oval-shaped structure, which completely contradicts and stands out in the context. The roof houses a ticket window that creates a formal expression to the entry of the fair.
7. Pioneer Village in Canada by aLL Design
This subway station and bus terminal are located near York Region, at the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and Northwest near York University. This station was designed in such a way that it becomes a centre of interest for future developments. The bus station has a cantilevered roof that acts like a canopy covered with landscape sheltering the waiting passengers.
These bus stops and stations in some or the other way have tried to improve the user’s experience by either considering the context or user’s ideology important aspect while designing.
