Silvia Mertens

This design is an application to one of the new urban approaches of the latest decades. The 'principle of
layers' considers space to be a superposition of independent layers which run into each other on a-significant points, only to create a certain 'event' there. In this way, it is possible to cater to the wishes of a more progressive view of architecture and urban design.
The design itself is a confrontation between two independent programmes and spatial lines. Each 'line' has
its own character, portrayed through programme, use and users.

The first line is the 'trans-part', the quicker, and more transparent, more public component of the
building. It aims to house extremely supporting and public functions, like lockers, sanitary, quick-food,
information and media points, waiting areas, relaxing areas, public circulation and transport. All of this aims to demonstrate that so-called 'inferior' architecture certainly occupies space and therefore asks to be
designed as well. This could create some new spatial experiences.

The second line is the 'station-part', the more static, traditional, closed part of the design. In terms of
programme, it destines different ways of 'being in space' – but this time for a longer period than in the
'trans-part'. Youth hostels, rentable units as well as supporting functions like eating -and drinking places,
meeting rooms, and auditoria,.....
These two programme lines intervene in the space and, in doing so, create architecture, called 'transstation', which searches for a closer alignment with the contemporary aspects of the relation between space, use and society.

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