Collalbo, South Tyrol, Italy
Designed by Roland Baldi and his design team at Roland Baldi Architects, the Collalbo Square Station has been redeveloped into a new, open, and spacious place for residents and visitors with a wide variety of seating and lounging areas that invite you to take a comfortable seat.
After completing the new Mobility Centre consisting of a bus station, a car park, and an underground garage, Roland Baldi Architects removed the street and car park in front of the station and built a new, inviting square instead.
People traveling on the historic Renon railway line, the last of its kind in the whole of South Tyrol and which connects Soprabolzano to Collalbo, can enjoy along the route the breathtaking view of the Dolomites and be welcomed by an elegant square at the terminus.
After the redesign of the square tourists can find an information board to help them organize the excursions in the area or alternatively meet up with friends at the busy tables of the station bar.
The flooring consists of alternating strips of green and reddish-brown porphyry cubes.
This “carpet” of natural stone covers the entire front area of the beautiful station building and stretches all the way to the platform.
The various porphyry strips are partly interrupted by small green areas or seating. The green areas are alternately planted with spherical box trees, Japanese sedges, sedum areas, and red maple trees.
Rubbish bins, bicycle stands, and pole lights are made of brown corten steel.
The imposing oak tree in front of the station bar is retained.
It is given a new edging and will continue to provide cooling shade for guests.
The architect’s team completely restructured the front part of the station in terms of traffic.
The former road and car park were removed and replaced by the current traffic-calmed square.
Only residents of the residential area behind the station are allowed to drive through this area at walking speed.
Natural stone speed bumps at both ends of the square remind drivers of the speed limit.
A roundabout and a few car parking spaces have been built in front of the new square.
This area works as a kiss-and-ride zone. It is used to stop briefly, let someone out and leave directly.
The only thing that has been kept in place is the bronze sculpture by the artist Franz Messner a goat peering through its mirror at some sparrows, also cast in bronze.
Project: Collalbo Station Square
Architects: Roland Baldi Architects
Lead Architect: Roland Baldi
Client: STA – Strutture Trasporti Alto Adige
Photographers: Oskar Da Riz
