Santiago de Compostela bus station
Spain
The new Santiago de Compostela bus station is part of an ambitious transformation of the existing railway station into an intermodal hub, efficiently connecting train and bus services at a strategic location close to the city center. This intervention not only enhances mobility but also redefines the southern edge of the city, overcoming the historical barrier of the railway tracks and linking with newly developed neighborhoods and the Brañas del Sar park.
The building is set in a privileged location, offering views of both its immediate surroundings and urban landmarks such as the Colegiata del Sar and the City of Culture. Its design responds to both functional and urban criteria: the structure is concentrated in the central core to facilitate the movement of vehicles and people, while two large cantilevered roofs on either side protect the bus bays from adverse weather.
The terminal is organized across two superimposed levels. The lower level houses 25 bays—19 for intercity transport and 6 for metropolitan services—along with 11 regulation bays. The upper level concentrates passenger services, with clear access routes from the footbridge that connects to the railway station. Two vertical circulation cores with escalators and elevators ensure orderly and accessible movement.
The project incorporates sustainable solutions such as longitudinal skylights and a continuous window on the north façade, optimizing natural light and reducing energy consumption. Solar protection is reinforced by structural overhangs and an inclined roof that adapts the building’s scale to its surroundings. Additionally, a biomass boiler is used for heat production, meeting renewable energy standards.
The Santiago de Compostela bus station not only improves the user experience but also redefines the relationship between infrastructure, city, and landscape.
SCOPE:
Architecture Project
Works supervision
CONTACT
Eduardo Aragüés ( earagues@idom.com )
Galo Zayas ( gzayasca@idom.com )
