Transit stops / 2022

At Gottlieb Paludan Architects I have been the project leader of the design team that recently received a 1st prize in a Swedish competition proposal for new transit stops for busses and trams in three Swedish cities; Göteborg, Mölndals and Partille.

The first stops will be established in 2023 and a total of up to 900 stops are expected to be replaced or newly established in the three municipalities over the coming years. The design concept is characterized by standardized and modular wooden units that can be assembled and adapted to different contexts without compromising the identity of the concept. In addition to the stop itself, the concept includes benches, signage, litter bins, bicycle parking, etc.

From the jury's report: ”The jury sees innovation in the proposal through the choice of wood that has been allowed to permeate the design for the new sleek and elegant weather shelters and stops. A choice of material that is perceived as warm and friendly, and which makes responsible use of resources and signals the future.”

The transparent wood and glass design of the stops contributes to a comfortable and safe travel environment, while the green roofs and integration of trees and plants support biodiversity. The integrated bicycle parking spaces will reinforce the local bicycle culture and promote access to different modes of transport. The concept is suitable for large and small urban stops and uses FSC certified wood as the supporting element.

More from the jury's report: "Thanks to the use of wood in combination with glass, the proposal exudes a warm and airy feeling, which is considered to contribute to a comfortable, friendly and safe travel environment for travelers. The stop provides travelers with good protection from the elements. The cantilevered roof also provides basic shelter on the outside. The authors also show great care with regard to other elements such as benches and litter bins. The scalability of the concept appears to be good and it is designed in such a way that it is considered to be able to interact with the variety of environments that the region contains. There is therefore potential for the new stops to help make public transport more attractive."