With the opening of the Gare de Mons station, acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava has completed yet another iconic piece of architecture. Located in Belgium, the depot has been nearly two decades in the making. This extended period of design and construction has led to a striking and elegant aesthetic for the new Mons railway station.
Created with the idea of being a “monumental bridge,” the structure spans the station’s tracks, acting as a hub for its 350-meter-long (1,148 feet) platforms, seven passenger tracks, 29 bus stops, taxi stands, and “kiss and ride” stops. Its central gallery is the centerpiece of the design, measuring 165 meters (541 feet) in length and 15 meters (49 feet) high, with its symmetrical triangular trusses and curved glass facades complemented by wood frames and Belgian blue limestone floors. The result is a clean, tranquil atmosphere for passengers.
As one of the larger transit stations in Belgium, particularly because of its location along the Paris-Brussels international line, Gare de Mons offers a wide array of retail spaces, as well as a travel center that serves both rail and bus passengers. With raised platforms to facilitate barrier-free access to the trains and 12 elevators, the station is designed with the needs of all passengers in mind.
In addition, sloped bike ramps, dedicated bike parking facilities, and spacious elevators encourage people to cycle, rather than drive, to the station. This sustainable attitude is carried through the design in many ways, including the transformation of a highly trafficked plaza into a pedestrian oasis filled with vibrant spaces for public events.
Santiago Calatrava’s Gare de Mons station in Belgium is yet another iconic piece of architecture for the Spanish architect.
A large central gallery caters to the large number of passengers who will use the station, now one of Belgium’s largest.
