vehovar & jauslin and formTL inflate aarau bus station canopy

vehovar & jauslin and formTL inflate aarau bus station canopy
image courtesy of vehovar & jauslin

in aarau, switzerland, architects vehovar & jauslin with engineering firm formTL, have constructed a large floating structure that stands over the town’s bus station. supported by a steel table, the transparent canopy is made from an upper blue and lower clear ETFE-foil, printed with a bubble pattern that together creates a sinuously formed air-tight cushion that is butt-welded without visible repetition. the ‘aarau bus station’ covers an area of 1,000 square meters, with an organically-shaped void at its center that, while still functioning as a shelter for passengers, offers an open, airy and light-filled atmosphere that is otherwise not felt in transportation hubs of its kind.

the air-tight cushion offers shelter while bringing light through its transparent form
photo by niklaus spoerri

the ‘aarau bus station canopy’ is a steel table that features an air-filled canopy
photo by niklaus spoerri

a large organically shaped opening is found at the center of the structure
photo by niklaus spoerri

the cushion is made from blue and clear ETFE-foil, printed with a bubble pattern
image courtesy of vehovar & jauslin

street view of the ‘aarau bus station canopy’
image courtesy of vehovar & jauslin

aerial view by night
photo by niklaus spoerri

1/8

project info:

client: city of aarau, canton of aargau
location: aarau, switzerland
services: architecture train station square, bus terminal and pedestrian underpass east
general contractor: suisseplan ingenieure AG + planer, aarau
structural engineering roof: formTL, radolfzell
lighting: atelier derrer, zurich
materials: ETFE-foil from nowofol, printed by von resiewitz
design print foil: stefan jauslin and paolo monaco
dimensions: L41 x W39 x H9 meters; 1,000 m2 covered; 1,800 m3 air volume
traffic planning: ballmer + partner, aarau
electro planning: hefti. hess. matrignoni, aarau
time frame: 2004-2013