PONT12 architectes

Description

The area around Prilly-Malley railway station is undergoing very significant urban development. The «Trait d’union» – French for hyphen – underpass connects major new projects in the area, including the Malley sports centre and the gasometer district. The underpass stretches across the 7-metre height difference between the north and south sides of the tracks and provides access to the station’s platforms. The spiral described by the vertical circulation systems allows for greater fluidity of non-motorised traffic. Its minimal footprint avoids the need for a large network of underground passages in western Lausanne. Entirely made of smooth exposed concrete, the passage is formed by a double-helix ramp with a radius of 10 metres extended by a 60-metre-long straight underpass. A staircase is located inside the bicycle ramp. Two lifts for people with reduced mobility complete the passages. Due to an integrated sensor, a dynamic wave of light subtly accompanies the progress of the passengers and thus saves energy by reducing lighting to a minimum when no users are present.