Starkly geometrical, minimalistically reduced, the epitomy of rationalism and right angles. Anyone entering the Wilhelm- Leuschner-Platz Station of the new Leipzig City Tunnel will immediately recognise the typical style of Max Dudler, the architect who designed the station.

tunnel-landscape-1

The Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz Station is one of four along the 1.4 km length of the Leipzig City Tunnel. It extends north to south beneath the Martin-Luther-Ring to the centre of Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. The island platform at the station is 140 metres long and is located about 20 metres below the ground level. Access is provided by escalators, fixed stairs and a lift. The interior of the station is characterized by back-lit glass block elements, which help to create an impression of natural daylight.

Glass block facade

The station’s walls and ceiling contain a total of 130,000 glass blocks in 900 frames. The glass tiles are inserted into a filigree lattice steel made from exposed concrete. Due to the use of precast sections that had a maximum cover of only 20mm, hot dip galvanized reinforcing steel was used in order to avoid long-term corrosion damage, together with any possible unsightliness caused by visible spots of rust. Approximately 75 tonnes of hot dip galvanized reinforced steel was used in the facade facing. However, hot dip galvanized steel is not only suitable for thin-walled structures or prestigious exposed concrete structures, but can also be used for traffic structures subjected to road salt and buildings in a maritime atmosphere.

tunnel-panoramic

Hot dip galvanized facade infrastructure

The 900 modules of the glass block facade, each of which weigh 1.5 tonnes, are supported by a galvanized steel frame. Whilst the glass block modules were suspended from the ceiling by means of hot dip galvanized ‘spacers’, the facade’s wall elements are supported by a hot dip galvanized steel frame. In order to ensure easy access for maintenance of the 700 light sources for the backlit facade, four operating surfaces made from hot dip galvanized steel grids have been integrated between the tunnel wall and the frame structure.

Architect: Max Dudler

Image: Deutsche Bahn; Martin Jehnichen; Freistaat Sachsen

Posted on April 22, 2014 by untitled

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