Zum Stadelsteg – A New Station for Bregenz

The new train station is not only envisioned as an architectural landmark for Bregenz, but also as a vital link between the city center and the lakefront. Three central themes define the design: culture, connection, and efficiency. These guiding principles are reflected in both the urban placement and architectural expression of the building.

Harmoniously integrated into the lakeside promenade, the station strengthens an existing urban axis. In doing so, it becomes a prominent point of orientation while enhancing the identity and qualities of Bregenz. The design reinterprets the classical train station by deliberately minimizing excessive technologization in favor of traditional building techniques.

The architecture draws strong influence from the building culture of Vorarlberg. The structure evokes a timber-truss bridge resting on solid plinths. The spatial concept is clearly organized: a fast transit route and a functional usage zone are separated by a buffer zone formed by the structure itself. This creates sheltered, quiet spaces for diverse uses, while maintaining an efficient flow of movement through the building.

A key feature of the design is its adaptability to seasonal changes: During the Bregenz Festival in summer, visitor numbers surge; in winter, demand is significantly lower. The spatial configuration allows for flexible expansion of public areas during peak season while remaining compact and efficient in the off-season.

The open supporting structure not only references regional craftsmanship, but also naturally defines the floor plan. A transparent east façade and a clearly organized layout allow for intuitive wayfinding and a visual connection to the surrounding landscape.

In this way, the new station brings visitors closer to the local culture, creates a seamless link between city and lake, and functions as an efficient and adaptable transportation hub.

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BRIDGE IN CONTEXT

At its core, the design explores how a bridge can become a contemporary and context-sensitive train station. Spanning orthogonally across bundled traffic flows, it draws a clear line between the heart of the new urban quarter and the forecourt of the Festspielhaus on the shores of Lake Constance.

Approaching from the platform, visitors ascend prominent staircases that lead directly onto the bridge – where they are greeted with sweeping views of the lake and the historic old town. More than a crossing, the bridge becomes a representative arrival point and offers intuitive orientation.

Structurally, it combines steel, the archetypal material of railway stations, with regionally sourced timber in the roofscape – a nod to sustainability and local craftsmanship. The open yet sheltered movement zones along the outer edges provide comfort and security in public space, offering a low-threshold, inviting link between the city center and the lakefront.

But the bridge is far more than a means of passage: it integrates the auxiliary spaces of travel. By layering zones for movement and stay, it enables both quick transfers and moments of pause – facilitating both transit and encounter.

The bridgeheads respond sensitively to their respective urban or natural surroundings in both form and function. To protect the natural landscape and strengthen the urban context, the main entrance is located on the city side. There, the structure rises above the surrounding block fabric: housing a capsule hotel, administrative and technical spaces, and staff facilities – all seamlessly integrated above the station access.

By transforming a bridge into a building, the project gives the station a distinct architectural identity that resonates with both the city and its setting.

Where Are We When We Travel?

If there is one place that encapsulates the essence of travel like few others – both in the past and today – it is the train station. As a pivotal anchor in the network of movement, it is much more than a mere transit point. It serves as a landmark and often the first and last impression travelers have of a city. With this responsibility, it becomes not only an architectural entity but also a social and public space. The new Bregenz train station takes on this role:

What can a public building – open to all – offer beyond its primary function as a transportation hub, for both people and the surrounding area?

The current state of the Bregenz station is inadequate. As part of the design, portions of the existing buildings are demolished to expose the central axis, consisting of three buildings. A section of the existing bridge, which currently spans the tracks, will be removed as the parallel highway is relocated. This adjustment alleviates the cramped situation between and under the existing structures.

In the resulting gap, a new station hall is inserted – an urban volume that wraps around the existing buildings. A connection to the remaining bridge section creates a new path to the tracks and the future bus terminal. Above the station hall, rest areas and a capsule hotel are housed. The direct path through the hall and bridge to the tracks forms a clear transit axis.

On the opposite side of the tracks, the existing bike ramp will be extended and expanded. It will provide space for approximately 600 bikes, as well as a café on the top floor offering stunning views of Lake Constance, the Pfänder mountain, and the city. This marks the terminus of the transit axis.

Opposite this, a second, slower and more exploratory axis cuts through the three existing buildings. Framed by an event and DIY hall largely preserved in its original state and a kiosk at the head of the station, it engages with the adjacent green area, acting as a “tongue” connecting the station with the city center. In the middle building, a restaurant will offer a space for both locals and travelers. The rounded corners of the existing structure reach into the new hall, activating the ground floor.

The new station hall thus becomes the intersection of the “Transit” axis and the “Plus” axis. It creates spaces, both inside and outside, that invite discovery and offer new perspectives on the station as a place of travel. Open areas, usable without the pressure of consumption, provide quality spaces for all – whether travelers or not. In this way, the station becomes a “third place”: a space between home and work, where encounter, exchange, and participation are fostered.

Waiting of the Place

This design primarily aims to give Bregenz back its connection to Lake Constance, thus restoring the symbiosis between lake, city, and mountains. To ensure the best possible connection between the city and the lake, the most consistent measure is to move the railway tracks underground. The intervention in the sensitive natural environment of Lake Constance is necessary to significantly improve the quality of life in the city. In addition to enhancing the cycling connection around the lake, noise pollution will also be substantially reduced.

Train stations, in their fundamental design, are “places of waiting.” Everything is oriented towards passing time. In modern stations, there is an increasing attempt to bridge the waiting time through consumer offerings. They become passive places for lingering. But from personal experience, we know: waiting rarely feels good.

From the Place of Waiting to the Waiting of the Place

My proposal for a new station in Bregenz transforms the “place of waiting” into a “waiting of the place.” The focus is on actively observing the place and its surroundings – for all user groups of a train station. Tourists, in particular, are given the opportunity to orient themselves upon arriving in Bregenz and to gain an understanding of the culture of Vorarlberg. This is especially supported by the observation tower, the café, and the combination of workshop and stage. Across the different buildings, the landscape, nature, and culinary culture of Vorarlberg can be experienced. But the new station should also be a place for locals to gather again and again.

Bregenz, a city with around 28,000 residents, is particularly known for its diverse cultural offerings. A highlight is the renowned Bregenz Festival, which attracts numerous visitors each year. The Festival House, with its impressive lakeside stage, can accommodate up to 6,659 spectators per performance and is intensively used during a summer month.

The new Bregenz train station forms a dynamic hub between the city, the lake, the old town, and the Festival House. As a gateway to Bregenz and the entire Vorarlberg region, it is designed to accommodate not only daily commuter traffic but also to flexibly respond to the high tourist numbers during the summer months.

Throughout the year, the station remains compact and functional – yet can be specifically expanded during the Festival month. The concept follows a clear structure: a flexible framework forms the foundation, usable both during regular operations and festival periods. In the summer months, when visitor numbers rise significantly, the station can be enhanced with textile extensions. This way, it remains both inviting and efficient for tourists and commuters alike.

The architecture of the station adapts to the characteristics of the city: instead of a monumental, permanent hall, the design employs a modular system that can be scaled and transformed as needed. The use of the height of the station bridge ensures a compact layout, while open and generous spaces give the station a prominent presence.

The construction of the building remains visible from the outside: cubic elements reveal different functions. Through the extensive use of glass, the station feels transparent and offers expansive views of the surroundings – particularly of the Festival House and Lake Constance.