Everyone should be able to move through our shared public spaces and buildings in a safe and dignified way. In complex environments such as stations, terminals, and other public transport hubs, universal design is not just a feature – it’s a fundamental design principle that ensures equal access and high functionality for all, regardless of physical or cognitive ability.
UdforskEstablishment of a new train station embedded deep in the mountain at Holmestrand
Metro & Railway
Holmestrand Station
Holmestrand, Norway
Gottlieb Paludan Architects has accomplished the technically demanding task of designing a new railway station located inside a mountain near the Norwegian coastal town of Holmestrand.
The architecture creates dramatic tension between outdoors and indoors by establishing a high-speed railway station inside the mountain behind Holmestrand.
As part of a large-scale modernization of railway traffic along the west coast of Oslo Fjord, a new station has been built in Holmestrand, roughly 80 km south of Oslo. The railway line was relocated 150 metres inland, which required the blasting and construction of a new 12 kilometre tunnel through rock. The task posed enormous technical challenges in terms of design, construction technology, acoustics, ventilation and fire-proofing, as the station space itself had to be established inside the mountain.
Client
Jernbaneverket
Status
Completed
Size
5000 m2
Year
2016
Collaborators
Rambøll Norge
Areas of Expertise
Photos
Tove Lauluten (1, 3-6) Tomasz Majewski (2)
The station is accessed through two portals situated directly against the mountain wall. From here, 100-metre tunnels lead to the station space inside the mountain via ramps and stairways.
The station space is planned so that in addition to ordinary trains, high-speed trains can also run through the tunnel at speeds of up to 250 km/h. Forecourts, a bus terminal with associated facilities and a car park with space for 200 vehicles will be constructed near the station portals.
Billede beskrivelse mangler
Billede beskrivelse mangler
The new train station in Holmestrand creates a dramatic contrast between nature and architecture, with the station's modern design embedded deep within the mountain.
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Well-functioning metro and railway systems play a vital role in connecting people's daily lives. We develop and design functional and safe stations that support accessibility, flow, and positive experiences for all users.
Read moreDo you want to learn more about Holmestrand Station?
Inge Fredslund
Head of Metro & Railway, Project Manager, DGNB consultantArchitect MAA
ifp@gottliebpaludan.com+45 4171 8215