Project:

Herisau Station Square

Year:

2015 -

Client:

Municipality of Herisau

Location:

Herisau, Switzerland

Program:

Bus Terminal Roof, Station Square, Station Roof

Area:

12'000 sqm

Commission:

Design Development and Construction Documents Phase

architect:

Hosoya Schaefer Architects AG

Planning team:

Studio Vulkan Landschaftsarchitektur GmbH
Conzett Bronzini Partner AG
IBV Hüsler AG

Visualization:

RSI Studio

Station square project and area development, Herisau, Switzerland

Arriving, departing, transferring and lingering – the Bahnhofplatz is an interface between town and region. It offers direct and fast transfer connections (fast zones) and room for rest (slow zones). It also serves as an entry to the town. Herisau, near the city of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland, has a unique opportunity to redefine the relationship between town and station, enhancing it as a point of entry, both logistically and symbolically.

Hosoya Schaefer Architects and Studio Vulkan won the Herisau Central Station Area Development Competition in 2014. By dividing the area into three long bands, parallel to the train tracks, a clear framework and sequence for the diverse functions and spaces was established. The rock face to the south and the linear arrangement of buildings to the north delimit a central band for the new bus terminal, small public squares, new anchor buildings, and a sequence of buildings and open spaces to the east.

In the second phase of the competition Hosoya Schaefer Architects and Studio Vulkan were tasked with designing the public space, bus terminal, parking, and pedestrian connections that make up the Bahnhofplatz. The overarching design strategy employs a single continuous ground surface that unites the essential fast and slow zones of the station spatially. A long roof structure, developed with Conzett Bronzini Partner, is situated centrally on the ground plane. At 7m high, 21m wide, and 120m long it organizes the public space and provides shelter and identity. Supported by eight columns, the roof is able to achieve spans of 47m with a thickness of only 15-37cm.  The central structure displaces a conventional central plaza, creating instead two intimate public spaces partially covered by the impressive cantilevered extensions at both ends of the roof. Visitors are encouraged to linger and enjoy the entrance to Herisau at their own pace.

In the wake of the bus terminal and station square a series of development projects are possible that will reposition the station area in the long term.

Publications

Projects

Architecture

Herrliberg-Feldmeilen station, 2020 –
Current state: framework plan

Haus Myrte, Wädenswil, 2022 –
Current phase: tender

House Renovation, Geneva, 2021 –
Current phase: ongoing

Airport Engadin, St. Moritz, 2020 –
Current phase: construction project

Cooperative Housing, Wetzikon, 2020 –
Current phase: tender

Fabrik.sg, 2020 –
Current phase: Project phases design to operation

ZHA, Boulevard, Hönggerberg Campus, 2020 –
Current state: ongoing (with Studio Vulkan)

Wilhelmsburg Rowing Club, 2020 –
Current phase: execution planning

Primary School Christoph Merian, Basel, 2019 –
Current phase: construction project

Station Square and Roof, Herisau 2015 –
Current phase: tender

MEWA-Areal, Wädenswil, 2018 –
Transformation Project from the former industrial estate to the mixed-use development with housing
Current phase: framework plan

Viererfeld, Bern, 2018 –
Housing
Current phase: on hold

Urban Design

Bahnhof Romanshorn, 2022 –
Current state: study (with Sudio Vulkan)

Kaserne Aarau, 2022 –
Current state: urban framework

Areale Wittenbach, 2022 –
Current state: urban design commission

Stiftungsareal Neumünster, 2022 –
Current state: study

Kieler Schloss, 2022 –
Current state: Public think tank on usage and architecture

Campus Heidelberg, 2021 –
Current state: Masterplan process, in-depth studies

Otterbach Süd, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework plan

Innovation Park Bergedorf, 2020 –
Current state: urban framework

Station Area Dietikon, 2019 –
Current state: urban framework plan

Campus Bochum, 2018 –
Current state: project support

Metalli, Zug, 2017 –
Current state: project support

Bahnstadt Nürtingen, 2017 –
Current state: project support

Areal Neugasse Zürich, 2016 –
Current state: completion of master plan, public consultation

Elbinselquartier Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, 2015 –
Current state: project support

Tech Cluster Zug, 2015 –
Current state: transformation plan

Station Herisau, 2013 –
Current state: areal development

KNZ Wil West, Thurgau / St. Gallen, 2011 –
Current state: project support

Urban System Research

Metaverse, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing

Entwicklungskonzept Würzenbach, 2022 –
Current state: ongoing

ESP Hochdorf, 2021 –
Current state: spatial-urban as well as use- and circular-based development concept

Deep Urbanism, 2021 –
Current state: ongoing

cividi gmbh – civic data intelligence, 2019 –
Digital tools for the analogue city
Current state: ongoing

Contact

Zürich office

Flüelastrasse 10, 8048 Zürich, Switzerland (Google Maps)
T. +41 43 243 6313 F.

GENERAL INQUIRIES: office@hosoyaschaefer.com
PUBLIC RELATIONS: press@hosoyaschaefer.com
CAREER: job@hosoyaschaefer.com (Please refer to our OFFICE > CAREER section for further information)

Kyoto office

Jimukinoueda bldg. 603, 21 Sakaicho, Gojo-Takakurakado, Shimogyoku, Kyoto 600-8191, Japan
T. +81 75 744 1503
office@hosoyaschaefer.com