Urban mobility will look very different in ten years from today. For some time, there has been a shift from cars to public transport in combination with the use of bicycles.
Many cities are promoting this through the development of additional bicycle lanes and creating parking facilities for bicycles in the form of ‘bike and ride’ stations in the vicinity of public transport interchanges.
A good example of this is ‘The Wheelhouse’ in the immediate vicinity of the Erfurt ICE train station. It is the second such facility at the Erfurt ICE train station and is intended to meet the increasing demand for safe, weather-protected bicycle storage facilities.
The Wheelhouse designed by Osterwold ° Schmidt Exp. Architects BDA, is a galvanized steel frame wedge, with its two sides hollowed out at both sides to create double tired parking for 200 bikes. An internal secure space also offers an extra-secure storage room with charging stations for electric bikes. The location and access of the new facility was of paramount importance, this meant the use of a very small footprint of vacant land running alongside the station with quick access via a footbridge.
The incorporation of a wedge-shaped structure takes full advantage of available space and by cleverly cutting into both sides of the structure a semi enclosed area is created that also helps to provide quick, easy access.
Hot dip galvanized steel combines the advantages of longevity and robustness, that will withstand the continual loading, unloading of bikes and the daily knocks and bangs associated with these processes without unduly affecting the coating.
The use of an expanded metal skin promotes a high incidence of light during the day and luminosity during the night. Depending on the light conditions, the expanded metal creates an alternating effect between securing ‘shell’ and translucent skin.
Architect: Osterwold ° Schmidt Exp. Architects BDA
Image: Michael Miltzow