The philosophy behind the design is based on the connection between the city of Jönköping and surrounding nature demonstrated through the use of a light and playful wooden canopy structure, partly transparent and open towards the city on one side and Munksjön lake on the other. The matchstick structure pays homage to the city’s past as Tändsticksstaden, famous matchstick capital of Sweden.
Nature is calming and soothing. Lush urban green is a perfect match for a busy transit hub. Evidence is mounting on the how effective urban nature is by calming and refocusing the stressed and hyper busy mind. With trees we bring immediate visual exposure of nature – and flowering plants and shrubs draw in birds and insects and thus sounds of nature. This complements the organic wood structure ‘our living room in the forest’ and makes it truly come to life.
Identity
Using a combination of wood and polycarbonate panels, this iconic structure will provide shading, sunlight and natural ventilation while protecting against the elements. The organic nature of the design offers the station a strong identity and the elevated platform coupled with the semi-transparent cover will give the traveller arriving aboard the high speed train an instant view over the surrounding lakes and forests. The station will offer Jönköping instant recognition on the new high-speed railway link and in line with the ambitions stated in the Design Vision, Jönköping- staden och sjöarna.
Green Design
Our living room in the forest is inherently ‘green’, partly through the use of natural materials such as wood but also through the incorporation of nature into the design. Local tree species such as ash, pine and oak will be planted within the areas where the canopy dips down and is anchored into the streets, the tracks will come to life through the planting of local plants. A habitat that today is increasingly rare is open sand that is warmed by the sun.
This is a habitat that the tracks could re-vitalise and plant species that today vulnerable could be supported – such as Fågelarv that has been observed in the area. There are other species of plants and mosses that also are associated to this habitat. This opens a very interesting possibility of supporting biodiversity without creating nectar-rich habitats that may be harmful to bees.”
The polycarbonate covering can be integrated with solar panels on the south side, offering the station the possibility of generating energy for its own use. Rainwater will naturally run off the curbed structure and will be harvested and reused within planted areas with the trees.
Organisation, Function & Design
The use of wood and curbed, irregular surfaces helps absorb and diffuse noise from the train and other traffic and adds to a more peaceful atmosphere, a place where people are invited to linger and relax. Transparency and openness helps sunlight reach below the cover and onto the platforms and other areas, ensuring that all areas of the station have access to light with entrance areas on all sides, making the spaces above as well as below the viaduct feel safe and secure for all users.
At the upper lever visitors are invited into the matchstick forest through long, circular ramps which take them to the top of the canopy and onto a walkway, at once opening up to the lakes and the forests around Jönköping. Here, the visitors can enjoy a drink or simply walk around admiring the view over the lakes, the forests and the city.
Proximity & Diversity
The lower level of the station will host a number of different uses including ticket offices, shops, cafes and restaurants. It is where other modes of transportation connect with and within the train station. It has been designed to favour easy access for all users and a good flow of both pedestrian and motorized traffic in and around the station through the use of wide sidewalks, large entrance areas and transparency which offers excellent visual orientation. Source by Erik Giudice Architecture.
- Location: Jönköping, Sweden
- Architect: Erik Giudice Architecture
- Project Team: Systra (Urban/rail public transport civil engineering), Noema Culture & Place Mapping (cultural planning), Calluna (urban ecology)
- Client: Jönköping Municipality
- Surface: 10 000 m2
- Year: 2016
- Images: Courtesy of Erik Giudice Architecture