Estación de metro Elbbrücken, en Hamburgo, Alemania

El diseño de esta estación sobre el suelo fue determinado por su ubicación próxima al río Elba, por el futuro denso desarrollo urbano del área y, sobre todo, por los históricos puentes Elbbrücken con sus arcos de acero a la vista. En resonancia con los puentes, la nueva estación se apoya en una impresionante estructura de acero que consiste en vigas de acero curvadas, una estructura que re-interpreta los principios del dinámico diseño de los históricos puentes.

La construcción de la cubierta externa pone de relieve la presencia visual de la estructura y la disposición transversal de los marcos resultan en un sistema de tipo rejilla que estabiliza los arcos de acero. Una fachada de cristal suspendida en el interior protege el edificio contra el clima. La luminosa estación abre interesantes perspectivas hacia el entorno urbano local, hacia el centro de Am Baakenhafen ‘, a las prominentes torres y a los puentes del Elba.

Original Text in English

The architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) have won first prize in the competition for the design of the Elbbrücken Underground station. The station will be located in the future district of the same name, at the eastern end of Hamburg‘s Hafencity, and will, at least for the time being, be the end station of the recently opened U4 Underground line.

The genius loci of this over-ground station is determined by its position directly at the river Elbe, the future dense urban development and, not least, by the historic Elbbrücken bridges with their conspicuous shallow steel arches. In resonance to the bridges, an impressive steel structure consisting of curved steel girders supports the new station, creating a structure which newly interprets the dynamic design principles of the historic bridges. The external roof construction underscores the visual presence of the structure; the crosswise layout of the frames results in a grid-type system and stabilises the steel arches. A glass façade suspended on the inside protects the building against the weather. The light-flooded station opens interesting vistas towards the local urban ‚Am Baakenhafen’ center, to the prominent tower blocks and the Elbe bridges.

The design is characterised by simple and clearly structured access principles. The complex difference in levels between the terrain and the platforms is cleverly dealt with inside the building. A ribbon section for lights and media will stretch the entire length of the station between the platform level and the booking hall. The lighting will generally be subdued and unostentatious, underscoring the character of the structure.