Nova Gorica Railway Station & Vrtača Underpass: A Cross-Border Transformation by SADAR + VUGA

The Nova Gorica Railway Station and Vrtača Underpass by SADAR + VUGA redefine the relationship between Slovenia and Italy through contemporary urban design, sustainable mobility, and sensitive architectural restoration. Located on the invisible border between Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy), the project turns a historically divisive threshold into a welcoming, connective public realm that celebrates cross-border culture and European unity.

Originally completed in 1906, the historic Transalpina Railway Station long symbolized political separation. The new intervention transforms this once rigid boundary into a vibrant, accessible landscape of movement, encounter, and urban cohesion. Through architectural clarity, infrastructural renewal, and spatial generosity, SADAR + VUGA reposition the station district as a shared civic gateway for both cities.

A New Urban Connection Through Rail Infrastructure

A crucial step in the redevelopment was reducing the former 14-track configuration to a streamlined system of six tracks and a central island platform. This reorganization freed significant space for the creation of the Vrtača Underpass, a newly built pedestrian and cycling corridor that finally provides a safe, direct connection between the two city centers.

More than a passageway, the Vrtača Underpass acts as a symbolic cross-border link, reinforcing accessibility and enhancing the public realm. Its design prioritizes openness and comfort, encouraging daily use by residents, commuters, and visitors.

Designing a Bright, Welcoming Underpass

The underpass measures 36.6 meters in length and 8 meters in width, with clearly defined lanes—3.5 meters for cyclists and 4.5 meters for pedestrians. Each end opens into elliptical sunken plazas, known locally as “vrtače”, which function as informal gathering spaces. These sculpted ditches absorb daily flows while inviting people to sit, meet, relax, and observe life around the station.

Visitors access the main plateau via broad staircases or elegant spiral ramps designed for cyclists. The experience of moving through the underpass and ascending into the plazas creates a fluid transition between below-ground circulation and open-air public space.

Materiality, Light, and Landscape Integration

Material choices strengthen the identity of the new station district. Glossy white ceramic tiles line the underpass walls, amplifying natural daylight that enters from both ends and through a central skylight above the platform. The vivid brightness creates a sense of safety and spatial generosity.

The floor features two-tone brick-red ceramic tiles differentiating pedestrian and cycling flows. This warm, vibrant paving extends into the plazas, where it meets green planted slopes that visually soften the intervention. Rain gardens placed in the center of each plaza regulate water levels during heavy rainfall, contributing to sustainable stormwater management.

Together, these elements blend infrastructure with landscape, transforming the underpass into a civic experience rather than a utilitarian tunnel.

Restoring the Historic Transalpina Station

The project also includes a comprehensive renovation of the Transalpina Station building. SADAR + VUGA reimagined the interiors to meet contemporary demands while respecting heritage identity. Key enhancements include redesigned lobby areas, ticket counters, and a new waiting lounge.

Original architectural features—historic paving, wooden wall paneling, beautifully uncovered frescoes, and the iconic side platform canopy—were carefully restored in collaboration with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (ZVKDS). The result is a revitalized station that honors its past while embracing a forward-looking role.

A New European Model for Cross-Border Urbanism

Since its opening, the Vrtača Underpass has become a vital artery for the region’s everyday life. Cyclists, commuters, and residents now traverse the border with ease, redefining it not as a line of division but as a shared public space.

All photographs are works of Ana Skobe, Matjaž Prešeren