REC032 Bus Station in Pontevedra

The renovation of the Bus Station is part of the project to improve intermodality between the Railway and Bus Stations. This involves not only the rehabilitation of the building itself but also actions in the urban spaces and an intervention in the river that runs parallel to the station.

URBAN SPACES

The intervention is based on the premise of reclaiming public space for the enjoyment of citizens.

The existing plaza at the building’s entrance, completely filled with cars, is largely cleared, creating pedestrian and green areas, thus generating the public square the building deserves, which simultaneously serves as a transition area between the train and bus stations.

Regarding the river, an intervention is made to "naturalize" it and make it more pleasant. The riverside walk is extended with the construction of a new wooden pedestrian bridge.

BUILDING

Before the intervention, the bus station building had a disjointed interior and exterior appearance, with various finishes, nooks, and exposed installations. Regarding the original project, gable sheet metal roofs were added, covering the skylights that illuminated the large lobbies, which we considered one of its most attractive aspects.

The intervention aims to bring ORDER AND CLEANLINESS to the interior, seeking a calmer, more pleasant, and warmer space through the unity of materials and the geometric continuity of the finishes, creating flush and continuous surfaces. The result is a CLEAR AND FUNCTIONAL space that is easily understood, making circulation intuitive and pleasant. The original skylights are restored, providing fantastic overhead light in the large interior lobbies. This light, along with the wood paneling, brings the desired warmth to these spaces.

Externally, the building envelope will follow the same criteria of order and cleanliness, aiming to achieve clean and pure volumes.

An ETICS (External Thermal Insulation Composite System) will be applied to the existing facades, ensuring continuous insulation of the entire envelope, improving the building's energy efficiency. All exterior joinery will be renewed with high-performance aluminum frames (TECHNAL SOLEAL FY 65 for the office area and TECHNAL GEODE MX curtain wall for public areas).

A second skin made of micro-perforated steel sheet is proposed for the first floor, providing a unified appearance to the building envelope, covering the exposed installations and all the nooks and protrusions of the current facade. This second skin, besides giving the building a cleaner volume, allows for passive solar protection. A gallery between this second skin and the facade allows access for maintenance and repairs. This skin is perforated with circular openings, giving the facade a unique character.