“Golden Eye” – Zechner & Zechner, ZTGmbH – Austria

“Golden Eye” – Zechner & Zechner, ZTGmbH – Austria

Building Owner: Holding Graz Linien

Architects: Zechner & Zechner ZTGmbH

Location: Graz, Austria

Traffic Planning: IKK ZTGmbH

Construction: Steel: Zenkner & Handel, Concrete: Schimetta Consult

Landscape building: 3zu0 Landschaftsarchitektur

Planning: 2008-2009, Completion: 07/2010- 11/2012

Construction Cost: 90 Mio €

Material Roof: ALUCOBOND® Spectra Titanium

Fabricator Roof: SFL technologies, Stallhofen

Award: VCÖ-Mobilitätspreis 2011

 Pictures: © Thilo Härdtlein

Local Transport Junction at Europaplatz Graz

After a construction period of 2 years and an investment sum of 90 million Euros the new hub for short way traffic at the main station in Graz was completed in time and within budget. The forecourt of the station now showcases with a completely new design. The new canopy, called “Golden Eye” by the population is the striking element. The most important innovation is the tramway line, connecting the 4 tram lines to the station below ground.

The project itself influences the urban concept of the whole urban area around the station. The enhanced attractiveness of the large square is the initial project for the further urban development.

With the new sub terrestrial station the formerly heterogeneous appearance of the square and the dissatisfying traffic pattern could be adapted.

The most significant element of the new design is the roofing of the forecourt – an oval, circular slice, which provides a weather protecting ring to the station’s entrance hall. The roof soffit, called “Golden Eye” forms an “exterior hall” related to the existing concourse. The cladding reflects slightly distorted the paving, pedestrians and vehicles and thus creates a film projected on the “canvas of movement”.