The distinctive U-shaped plan form contains bus traffic and its two copper-roofed arms provide shelter for embarking travellers. The base of the U forms the core with a large central hall and various public facilities, including a café and top-floor restaurant, along with offices and a control room. Its fully glazed façade opens out onto a large public piazza.
ICONIC ROOF PROFILES
The undulating curves and folded planes of each arm continue over the core building to be linked by two more roof surfaces, terminating in four distinct, upturned canopies over the piazza façade, revealing timber strip soffits. The iconic roof profiles and their green copper cladding are said to represent the industrial heritage of the city.
This ‘green’ building optimises energy efficiency with geothermal energy, photovoltaic electricity generation, smart LED lighting technology and large roof-lights for lighting and passive solar gain when needed. These impressive sustainability initiatives are bolstered by material selection – notably the copper which not only came entirely from recycled sources but can also be recycled again at the end of the building’s life.
