Destination Station: Henning Larsen wins competition to transform Prague Central Station
28/11/2023.
[Prague] Czech Republic
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
metalocus, ADELA BONAS
Henning Larsen and Ramboll won the competition to transform Prague Central Station.
Nový hlavák reconnects the historic central station and terminal hall with Vrchlického Sady Park to become a welcoming gateway to Prague. Redefining the city’s landscape and propelling its vision to become a more sustainable, livable place, the design champions low-emission mobility options, adaptive reuse, and timber construction.
Driven by the introduction of a new tram line and anticipated 200% increase in the number of visitors, the new future mobility hub signifies a transformative milestone in Prague’s urban development. Seamlessly connecting three transit hubs into one unified and inviting destination with optimized pedestrian flows.
Nový hlavák reconnects the historic central station and terminal hall with Vrchlického Sady Park to become a welcoming gateway to Prague. Redefining the city’s landscape and propelling its vision to become a more sustainable, livable place, the design champions low-emission mobility options, adaptive reuse, and timber construction.
Driven by the introduction of a new tram line and anticipated 200% increase in the number of visitors, the new future mobility hub signifies a transformative milestone in Prague’s urban development. Seamlessly connecting three transit hubs into one unified and inviting destination with optimized pedestrian flows.
Transit. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Kvant
Active Zone. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Vivid Vision
Park View. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Bloom Images
Aerial view. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Bloom Images
Surroundings. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Vivid Vision
Gardens floor plan. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
-1 floor plan. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
-2 floor plan. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Ground floor plan. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Section. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Section. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Cross section. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Main elevation. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Section. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Detail. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
The new station, designed by Henning Larsen and Ramboll, prioritizes low-emission transport and micro-mobility, making public transit and travel by foot and bike the most desirable mode of transport. The station will connect to the city’s planned bike network with easy bicycle access and parking, supporting Prague’s ambitions to lower the city’s carbon emissions.
Breaking down the borders of the complex, former station, Nový Hlavák is a dynamic space that welcomes visitors to the city and invites them to take a pause in the station or the heritage of the surrounding park with its ancient trees.
Celebrating the architectural heritage of Prague’s central station and its historic surroundings, Nový Hlavák will preserve and transform the Hlavni Nadrazi station. The Hlavni Nadrazi terminal hall’s iconic design elements will be preserved, reimagined, and extended to accommodate the increase in capacity. The terminal’s striped paved flooring and iconic curved design elements will remain, paying homage to Hlavni Nadrazi’s original playfulness and unique modernist architecture.
Aerial view. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Bloom Images.Breaking down the borders of the complex, former station, Nový Hlavák is a dynamic space that welcomes visitors to the city and invites them to take a pause in the station or the heritage of the surrounding park with its ancient trees.
Celebrating the architectural heritage of Prague’s central station and its historic surroundings, Nový Hlavák will preserve and transform the Hlavni Nadrazi station. The Hlavni Nadrazi terminal hall’s iconic design elements will be preserved, reimagined, and extended to accommodate the increase in capacity. The terminal’s striped paved flooring and iconic curved design elements will remain, paying homage to Hlavni Nadrazi’s original playfulness and unique modernist architecture.
“Our vision for Nový hlavák extends beyond the traditional concept of a station. We aspire to create a space that embeds itself in the fabric of people's lives, leaving them with lasting memories. The journey through Nový hlavák is designed to evoke traditional station sentiments, a nostalgic and familiar experience that transforms the act of passing through the station into a truly fantastic moment.
Our commitment goes beyond creating a structure for transportation; it's about enhancing daily experiences. Nový hlavák is meticulously designed for super-efficient functionality, ensuring seamless mobility for everyone. The station aims to redefine the very idea of what a daily commute can be, making it not just a journey but an experience that adds value to people's lives.”
Jacob Kurek, Global Market Director, Henning Larsen
On arrival at Nový Hlavák from the city center visitors are greeted by the park and a bustling pavilion that acts as a gateway to the Fantova Building, creating a lively destination to pass through and explore. Central to the design is a large, open-roof timber canopy, unifying the surrounding park, central station, and communal transport center. To host a new tram stop and city transport plan, the glulam roof will be lifted 13.8m above the terminal floor replacing the existing steel girder and parking deck. The structure will feature lightweight ETFE roof cladding and allow for improved views of the park, the Fantova Building, and the surrounding skyline, easing pedestrian flow and safety, and inviting people to enjoy the space.
Surroundings. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects. Rendering by Vivid Vision.
"More than a transit hub, Nový hlavák is conceived as an extended living room—a vibrant space within a green park adorned with a timber roof. It's not merely a place to pass through; it's a destination, a meeting point for individuals and communities. We envision Nový hlavák as a place where people gather, linger, and make meaningful connections—a truly inclusive and inviting urban oasis within the heart of Prague.”
Greta Tiedje, Associate Design Director, Henning Larsen.
"We are proud to be part of enhancing low-carbon public transport in Prague and creating a local environment with positive social outcomes.”
Tom Singleton, Senior Chief Project Manager, Ramboll.
The terminal hall features an improved layout implementing intuitive wayfinding for visitors with ample daylight and direct visual connections to all surrounding areas. The design prioritizes climate comfort and the roofed station plaza. Safety is an integral part of the design, covering user well-being, traffic management, and crisis scenarios.
Main elevation. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
Section. ŠŤASTNÝ HLAVAK by Henning Larsen Architects.
The Vrchlického sady Park will be revitalized, divided into a cultural zone, activity zone, and the central arrival plaza, creating areas for Christmas markets, a quick commute, or an afternoon picnic providing easy and direct access to the station. Preserving the historic identity of the park and reflecting it in the new design is key to its success, an abundance of native vegetation will be planted, and existing historic trees preserved. The landscape will incorporate stormwater management and mitigate the heat island effect.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Engineer.- Ramboll.
Local Architect.- A8000.
Local Architect.- A8000.
Client
The Capital City of Prague, Správa zeleznic, Prague Public Transport Company.
Area
Site size.- 103,000m².
Building size.- 24,400m².
Building size.- 24,400m².
Dates
The team was awarded 1st place on 27th November in the draft design competition for Prague Central Station.
Location
Prague, Czechia.
Renderings
Bloom, Kvant, Vivid Vision.
HENNING LARSEN ARCHITECTS
Henning Larsen Architects, was founded in 1959 an is an is an international architecture company with strong Scandinavian roots.
Henning Larsen was born in 1925 in the town of Opsund, Videbæk, in western Denmark and moved with his parents to Bregninge, Zealand, as a child. Henning Larsen graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, in 1952. He established the company after a study trip to the United States. He started out with only one architecture student among his staff. Today, Henning Larsen Architects is one of Europe’s leading architectural companies. Henning Larsen's life work counts a number of significant building works in Denmark and abroad. He was often described as a "master the light". From 1968 to 1995, he was a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen.
Henning Larsen received a number of awards and recognitions. Most recently, His Royal Highness the Prince Consort of Denmark's Europe Nostra Award 2013 and in 2012 what is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of art, the Praemium Imperiale. In 2001, he established the Henning Larsen Foundation with the objective of promoting and disseminating architecture in its broad sense.
Among Henning Larsen's most important works abroad, you find the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1984), The Danish Embassy in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1987) and Malmö City Library (Sweden, 1997). In Denmark, his most essential works include Copenhagen Business School Dalgas Have (1989), Enghøj Church (1994), Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (1996) and the Royal Danish Opera (2004).
Henning Larsen was born in 1925 in the town of Opsund, Videbæk, in western Denmark and moved with his parents to Bregninge, Zealand, as a child. Henning Larsen graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, in 1952. He established the company after a study trip to the United States. He started out with only one architecture student among his staff. Today, Henning Larsen Architects is one of Europe’s leading architectural companies. Henning Larsen's life work counts a number of significant building works in Denmark and abroad. He was often described as a "master the light". From 1968 to 1995, he was a professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen.
Henning Larsen received a number of awards and recognitions. Most recently, His Royal Highness the Prince Consort of Denmark's Europe Nostra Award 2013 and in 2012 what is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of art, the Praemium Imperiale. In 2001, he established the Henning Larsen Foundation with the objective of promoting and disseminating architecture in its broad sense.
Among Henning Larsen's most important works abroad, you find the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1984), The Danish Embassy in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia, 1987) and Malmö City Library (Sweden, 1997). In Denmark, his most essential works include Copenhagen Business School Dalgas Have (1989), Enghøj Church (1994), Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek (1996) and the Royal Danish Opera (2004).
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