A light, contemporary addition to a protected monument

The Luxembourg station, built between 1908 and 1912, is a listed building that receives more than 60,000 passengers daily. To better accommodate this flow, a new, transparent station hall was built on the south side. The extension literally stands in front of the historic building, but nowhere does it take away attention: a slender, outward-curving roof in ETFE foil minimizes the impact on the monumental facade and strengthens the visual relationship between old and new.

A subtle kink in the roof marks the main nave that connects to the existing concourse. The new space is completely enclosed on the south and west sides by clear laminated glass, making the station concourse bathed in natural light and an open, urban reception area.

Steel network as supporting artwork

The new hall is supported by an impressive three-dimensional network of curved steel tubes (Ø 168.8 mm), interconnected to form large panes of variable curvature. Two rows of main uprights fan open at the top like steel tree crowns and support the complex roof geometry. For horizontal stability, more robust uprights (Ø 244.5 mm) were integrated into a 65 cm thick latticework. All technical elements – from electrical lines to rainwater drains – are subtly concealed within the hollow profiles, keeping the structure sleek, elegant and completely free of visible fasteners.