The overarching goal was to create an urban connection between the bus station, forecourt, lake terrace, and Anlagenpark, as well as to reorganize and visually enhance these spaces. Optimizing the bus station’s transportation needs and its new urban orientation were of central importance. All areas were made barrier-free in accordance with the Athens Charter. The accessibility to the station building was significantly improved by filling the base area. The establishment of a station forecourt with a grove of large trees, distinctive bus stop roofs, and a cohesive design defines the area’s appearance. All materials were selected based on usage, durability, and maintenance considerations.
The central element is the newly created square in front of the station, which did not exist in this form before. The former station canopy was demolished, revealing the historic façade of the baroque station building, and the former arcades were visually reopened using large glass elements. The base of the building was in part filled up to allow access for wheelchairs. Between these access points the lower part of the façade remains exposed to meet monument protection requirements. Smaller walls with integrated steps allow for movement along the façade and bridge the height difference. The square features a grove of large multi-stemmed trees, extending the greenery from the adjacent park into the station forecourt. Concrete bus stop shelters seem to dance playfully through the grove, while slight bends in their slender roof construction adds architectural character. Three of these roofs span over the entrances of the underground garage. Specially developed wind and rain shields provide protection, include passenger information, and structure the waiting areas. Modular seating fits harmoniously under the roofs, forming larger arrangements under the grove. These also reflect the design language of the seating walls surrounding the many planted areas.
The “Blue Ribbon”, the express bicycle path, forms the northern boundary of the bus station. It crosses the central bus station at the eastern entrance area, creating an island that organizes motorized traffic, provides a crossing for cyclists, and forms the spatial end of the bus station. On the north side the “Blue Ribbon” continues westward, where it crosses Bahnhof Avenue, serving as a direct connection between the station and the Uhland Monument and linking to the Tübingen city centre.
The new bicycle station stands at the junction between bus station, square, park, and connection to the city centre, and incorporates a ramp to the underground bike garage. Public restrooms, a café, a workshop, and additional bike parking are also located here. A generously sized seating area with integrated stairs and a barrier-free ramp bridges the height difference to the park. The “Lake Terrace” offers outdoor dining areas and serves as a popular gathering spot by the lake, thanks to its water feature. The water feature consists of a large water table accessible at wheelchair height. Fountains on the table create a visual connection between the bus station, lake terrace, and the park lake. Additionally, a watercourse flows down the terrace steps, often played in during hot summer days.
Project Data
Landscape architecture: BHMP
Other designers involved in the design of the landscape: Breilinger Ingenieure, Vogt Partner (lighting), Haas Cook Zemmrich (bicycle station), KMB (parking garage)
Project location: Tübingen, Germany
Year completed: 2024
Photo credits: Nikolai Benner, Beate Gohs-Haas
Manufacturer of urban or play equipment: Runge (benches), Thomas Rösler (wood elements)
