French architects have designed a new 12,000-square-metre mass timber Transport Hub that, once constructed, will transform the French city of Toulouse. The hub will expand the city’s central station, Gare Matabiau, strengthen the area’s public transport networks and connect pedestrians with the Canal du Midi and the Périole neighbourhoods.
Set to commence in 2026, it is the latest in a long line of infrastructure projects embracing mass timber, with the French government now looking to double timber buildings under construction from 15% to 30% over the next 5-10 years.
According to Jacob Sand, the partner in charge of BIG—Bjarke Ingels Group, responsible for the design, “To pursue low-carbon solutions in the design, we employed mass timber, low-carbon concrete, and natural ventilation throughout, with photovoltaics on the roof.” He added that “this simple yet multifunctional design transforms the roof into Toulouse’s new landmark.”
In addition to the mass timber frame—believed to be a mix of cross-laminated timber panels and glulam beams—the underground floors are made from low-carbon concrete, whilst partitions will use rammed earth—both crucial to reducing embodied emissions in line with France’s net zero commitments.
The building will be “topped off” with a rose-coloured “foraine” brick roof – a modern type of brick derived from ancient Roman bricks, according to Mr Sand.
Topped with three pitched roofs that mirror railway sheds, the building will rise and curve from one to seven stories. At its lowest point, the front of the building will feature a double-height hall, which will contain escalators leading to the metro and station access in the subterranean levels.
According to Mr Sand: “The new transport hub’s folded roof, rising from the Marengo parvis, defines the main hall with lush greenery and ample daylight, welcoming visitors and leading them to metro and train tracks below.” Before adding that, the design takes cues from the city’s distinctive roofscape and the traditional use of the rose-coloured “foraine” brick – connecting the station to the west.
The design then “dovetails with the city’s pedestrian and bicycle flows, connecting station pedestrians to the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi and the Périole neighbourhood.”
Public spaces cover the 4,400-square-metre footprint, with two sublevel floors providing space for 1000-unit open-air bicycle parking surrounded by 6,600-square-metre mixed-use office space.
Founded by Bjarke Ingels in 2005, BIG is one of the world’s best-known architecture studios, with offices in Copenhagen, New York, London, Barcelona, Shenzhen, Zurich, Los Angeles, and Oslo.
