Intermodal Station Dome and Felipe VI Park: A Landmark of Sustainable Urban Infrastructure in Logroño

The Intermodal Station Dome and Felipe VI Park in Logroño, Spain, designed by Ábalos + Sentkiewicz arquitectos, represents a pioneering approach to sustainable urban infrastructure. Completed in 2021, this large-scale intervention transcends the conventional definition of a transportation hub, integrating public space, ecological systems, and mobility networks into a cohesive urban landscape. Spanning over 701,376 square feet, the project redefines how cities can reconnect fragmented territories while addressing climate-responsive design.

Urban Regeneration Through Infrastructure Integration

Located in Logroño, the project emerged from an international competition that aimed to transform the urban fabric by burying railway lines that once divided the city. Instead of merely constructing a transit facility, the architects envisioned a holistic urban regeneration strategy. The intervention removes long-standing physical and social barriers, stitching together the northern and southern districts through a continuous green public realm.

This approach shifts the focus from isolated architectural objects to interconnected urban systems. By replacing infrastructural segregation with a vibrant park, the project establishes a new urban centrality, fostering social cohesion and stimulating real estate development in previously disconnected areas.

Felipe VI Park: A Green Urban Catalyst

At the heart of the project lies Felipe VI Park, a vast green roof that spans the intermodal infrastructure below. This elevated landscape is not only a recreational space but also a critical environmental component. The park acts as a thermal buffer, significantly improving the energy efficiency of the stations beneath while contributing to climate adaptation strategies.

The design leverages the city’s historic underground irrigation channels connected to the Ebro River, enabling a fully integrated water management system. Rainwater and excess irrigation are collected, filtered, and reused, ensuring 100% water recycling across the park. This system enhances biodiversity, improves air quality, and restores ecological balance within the urban environment.

Architectural Design: The Intermodal Dome

A defining feature of the project is the monumental intermodal dome, a 60-meter-span structure that unifies the train and bus stations below the park. This architectural gesture ensures uninterrupted continuity of the green surface while maintaining efficient connectivity between transportation systems.

The train station emphasizes seamless transitions between access points and platforms, optimizing passenger flow. In contrast, the bus station adopts a horseshoe configuration that prioritizes spatial experience. A central staircase floods the waiting area with natural light and visually connects users to the park above, reinforcing the relationship between infrastructure and landscape.

Connectivity, Mobility, and Public Space

The dome not only serves as a structural solution but also as a symbolic and functional node of connectivity. It allows vehicular circulation beneath while preserving pedestrian continuity above, effectively layering mobility systems without conflict. This integration celebrates the intersection of urban and territorial networks, positioning the project as a model for future intermodal developments.

The resulting space is both monumental and human-centered, offering a dynamic environment where transportation, leisure, and ecology coexist. It establishes a new identity for the expanding urban edge of Logroño, transforming infrastructure into a civic landmark.

Sustainability and Environmental Certification

The project’s commitment to sustainability was recognized in 2022 with the prestigious BREEAM Spain Urbanism certification, making it one of the few developments in Spain to achieve this distinction. The integration of passive environmental strategies, water recycling systems, and green infrastructure demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to resilient urban design.

Beyond its environmental performance, the park has also become a cultural platform, hosting installations by international artists and enriching the public realm with artistic engagement.

A Model for Future Cities

The Intermodal Station Dome and Felipe VI Park exemplifies how infrastructure can transcend functionality to become a catalyst for urban transformation. By merging transportation, ecology, and public space, Ábalos + Sentkiewicz arquitectos have created a benchmark for sustainable urbanism that prioritizes connectivity, environmental responsibility, and social integration.

All photograps are works of  Juan Carlos Esteban, José Hevia, Jesús Rocandio, Maria Cruz Gutiérrez