Page 27 - samyn_ebook2

2.2 Key points of the competition design by Philippe Samyn and Partners
The design articulates itself as a bridge over a steel river. The urban plan is utilised
as a supportive base. The zoning plan ‘Station’ involves the station square and
the Leuven station expansion strip on its northern and southern side. A possible
covering was not specified, as it does not fit with the metaphor of the river. The
specific identity of the railway “banks” and the undeviating line of the railway track
“river” prevail in the overall urban design. The reservations against a possible
cover imply of course more than a mere semantic objection.
The risk of a contamination of monumentality is pointed out, in which the overall
modest scale of the station building would be overshadowed by monumental
projects in its vicinity. Moreover, a project locus adjusted to the urban centre would
be transposed to a smaller-scale suburban environment.
The inevitably of a large scale cover spanning the broad railway track area has
to be reconciled with the specific characteristics of the two different banks. This
will prove to be an exercise in dimensional management and tectonics. The broad
gesture of an unsupported cover spanning all tracks is avoided.
Central to the project is the reorganisation of the infrastructure, objectively to
improve the traffic flow between the different parts of the city. No attempt is made
to erase the barrier created by the railway tracks. These are seen as a ‘river’ with
two distinct and different banks. Herein lies the inspiration for the project, which
creates a visual relationship but also respects and intensifies the autonomy of the
separate city districts.
The covering consists of a longitudinal and transversal sequence of parabolic
disks which rest on supports located at the centre of the platforms. The primary
structure was erected parallel to the railway infrastructure and the sequence of the
overhead wiring was used as the measure for the supportive elements. Overhead
light channels are placed above the platforms to allow maximum light entry.
Glass canopies inside the station reflect the light towards the arches and
parabolically profiled steel plates span the width of the cover. The shape of the
roof and the perforated roof structure keep the noise of the trains largely contained
within the separate modules.
An opening is provided at the point of contact between two bays. This opening
serves as a natural ventilation opening in normal everyday conditions. The opening
also serves as a smoke hatch in case of a fire and is sealed off with glass panes so
that the maximum light entry is assured and moisture entry avoided.
Five robust vertical columns accommodate the elevators for passengers and
accentuate the pedestrian bridge between Kessel-Lo and the station square.
The design aims to provide maximum comfort for commuters: protection against
wind and rain, abundant natural light, clear legibility of functions and pictograms,
and absorption of traffic noise.
The different components can be installed and taken down effortlessly, they are
durable and easy to maintain. The reason behind the ecological approach as
applied to the structural principles was an optimal use of materials, which resulted
in a supporting structure of minimal weight.
The design of the whole structure refers to sails or sheets in the wind: the edges at
the narrow sides are aerodynamically painted tips that welcome the trains.4
25