Referencing the city's rooftop landscape and the traditional use of foraine brick, the building is characterized by a pink crystalline roof. From the main entrance canopy in the south, the center structure gradually rises in an inclined movement towards the north, reaching 32 meters in height towards the train tracks. Local plants and trees are planted in the building and at the bicycle station, reflecting the vegetation of the Haute-Garonne region.
Rendering. Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub by BIG and A+ Architect's.
Passing the bus station and entering through the main entrance, travelers are led underground to the Gare Matabiau station, the railway, metro lines and transport hub assembly areas. 4,400 m² distributed on the ground floor and two sublevels will have flexible and informal public spaces open to everyone, including rest areas as well as commercial and cultural activities. Here, the Maison du Climat, an initiative to promote public awareness of environmental issues, will manage an event space for exhibitions, conferences and workshops.
«The folded roof of the new transport center, rising from the Marengo parvis, defines the main hall with lush greenery and abundant natural light, welcoming visitors and leading them to the subway and train tracks located below. The elegant silhouette of the building, which grows in height towards the north, curves along the rue de Périole. The ground and lower floors will offer retail and lounge areas and the Maison du Climat event space, while the upper floors will house regional offices. Seeking low carbon solutions in the design, we employ mass timber, low carbon concrete and natural ventilation throughout. , with photovoltaic energy on the roof. This simple, but multifunctional design transforms the roof into the new landmark of Toulouse.
Jakob Sand, Managing Partner of BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
As the structure grows in height, each level gradually recedes, creating a triangular shape. This allows visual connections between floors and brings natural light to the lower levels of the building, allowing for comfortable and easy navigation for travelers throughout the day. The center's two sublevels will connect to the 1,000-unit open-air bicycle parking lot.
Rendering. Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub by BIG and A+ Architect's.
Built mainly of wood, the center with its 12,000 m² surface connects with the central train station in the west and accommodates the city's pedestrian and bicycle flows to the east, acting as a link between the city center, the Canal du Midi, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the Périole neighborhood.
Rammed earth and textiles will be used for partitions, and both the ground and underground floors will be constructed from pink, low-carbon concrete. The roof will also be made up of photovoltaic panels matching the pink color of the roof, pierced by skylights that will allow the entry of natural light.
