Interventions on the urban railway stations of the network Patras - Rio

Students : Sarra Matsa, Kalliopi Bakali
Tutor: Elias Constantopoulos
University of Patras - Department of Architecture
Date : June 26,  2012

After a long absence of the train in the city of Patras, in August 2010 it was once more put in operation, this time by performing a local route (Rio - Ag. Nikolaou - Ag. Andreas). The experimental project of the urban railway was established and the intermediate station of Kastelokampos was added, as well as the stations Panachaiki (Stadium) and Bozaitika.

The stimulus that pushed us to deal with the railway line of the city and the adjacent areas was offered not only by the operational convenience that it brings to the areas where we live but also by the experience of the journey in space and time of our city.

Firstly, there were compelling reasons of proximity and strategy in order to chose the new stations. The main concept is to create a recognizable supralocal system, each station holding common elements but at the same time reinforcing the local character of each area, through the functions that it will host. During the revision of the stations, we proceeded either to the preservation of the existing or the creation of new stops in order to highlight specific thematic characters and their establishment as destinations. More specifically, we identify the following thematic stations: Agios Andreas (history of the local train), Agiou Nikolaou (commerce and entertainment), Mamos Brewery (industry of Achaia), Kanellopoulou str. (sports), Student residences (student activities), Rio (neighborhood).

We therefore propose a system of grid, starting from the railway, that unfolds like a net in the areas of interventions and it forms them. This system adopts the parallel axe of the railway line and during its expansion, it seems to become denser and sparser signifying different textures and uses. The grid constitutes a grouting system made of double L metal profiles made of corten, on which a second system with elements of urban furniture is seated. More specifically, T profiles are buckled on the double L profiles, on which square tube profiles are welded and compose the urban furniture. In other cases, such as canopies or structural systems of buildings, H profiles are chosen. Fundamentally, the trace of the T profile in combination with the elements of the square tube profiles constitute a continuity, like a "ribbon" that moves in space.

The system analyzed above is proposed for all the railway stations, three out of which are furthermore examined. These are the Mamos Brewery, the Student residence and Rio.

Station: Mamos Brewery
It is an industrial complex that functioned mainly as a brewery. Its operation stopped  in 1980 and it has remained abandoned since then. Our proposal regards both the activation of the buildings and the reformation of their open space. More particularly, in the industrial buildings that maintain their wall limits, it is proposed the accommodation of galleries whereas in the better preserved buildings there are event stages, a local product market, a library and a private collection area concerning the industry. In the surrounding area, there is a theatre, a market and a station of relaxation around the banyan tree that has been declared a monument of natural history. In addition, there is a small building unit that exists in all interventions changing use and elevations where appropriate. In this particular station, the building contains an information desk and auxiliary spaces. It also constitutes part of the system, as the load-bearing elements and the interior furniture buckle on the grid.

Station: Student Residence
In this particular area, the railway line is situated on a higher level compared with the wider region, resulting in the creation of a slope. It is potentially the only case where the train is an inaccessible limit. Therefore, the boarding platform is adapted to the terrain. Having the student residence as the main theme of the station, the reformations are related to the student activities in combination with an opening to the neighborhood. Thus, the platform becomes an open air theater, the lowest point of which is associated with a relaxing area and the typical building unit of our proposal that holds auxiliary spaces and a bar. At the end of this side, there is a community garden in order to enable the interaction between the students and their neighbors. At this station there is also a connection with the university and the hospital. Thus, a path that begins from the platform leads the passenger directly to the bus stop. On the side of the student residence, sports facilities, entertainment, study and relaxation regions are proposed.

Station: Rio
In Rio, the train station and the railway lines constitute the center of accumulation of uses in the area and a nodal point of traffic. Due to the above, a general organization of the region was necessary. In order to decongest the central junction, it is proposed the opening of a road, the connection of two others and a new parking area. In this case, the platform is situated next to the old building of the station with the building unit hosting a bar, auxiliary spaces and a ticket counter, leaving the administrative department in the old building. From the platform a ramp sends the visitor to the west, where there is a square that can host the weekly street market of Rio. In the end of the square, there is a more formed area with the "ribbons" to go beyond the boundaries of the urban furniture and to  be extended to the elements of the playground.