When I visited the Exposition SOS PLANET in Liège, we took the opportunity to also have a look on the new station which had been built by the architect Santiago Calatrava a Spanish architect and it was officially opened on September 18, 2009 with a show by Franco Dragone. It has 9 tracks and 5 platforms.
The new station is made of steel, glass and white concrete. It includes a monumental arch, 200 metres long and 35 metres high and is very futurist and very unpractical to my taste. People also call it the "Draft Palace" because it's open to all sides. It maybe nice when it's hot, but when it's freezing it is the ideal place to catch a cold. Maybe the Spanish Architect wanted to do the Belgians a favour and didn't think about the rainy and cold weather here.The building costs were around € 312 million (450.000.000 !!$) only !
There are not enough banks or other commodities for elderly or handicapped people or even for young mothers, which should be normal for such a modern station. You can read more about Guillemins station here
and here are some pictures of the "Draught Palace".
3 of my friends on the the escalator (without steps)
The building looking like a huge shell doesn't fit in the area at all.
The roof which protects you from the rain when the wind is not blowing
one outside wing
The view from the station to Liège
Even the taxis are quiet far away.
All in all I was really disappointed, but this is strictly my personal opinion because there are also lots of people who really like this new station.
Brussels Time
10 comments:
It certainly is an interesting looking place, Gattina. But it DID cost a lot. You have to wonder about some peoples' priorities.
It looks enormous, impractical and very cold.
What an odd building. It appears to serve no real important purpose and you are quite correct, that it does not fit in at all.
It is interesting, but I agree with Loree, it is enormous, would seem impractical and cold and it surely doesn't fit! Your photographs, however, are terrific! Hope you have a great week, Gattina! Enjoy!
Sylvia
very cool and modern architecture but what if it rains?
That's a massive structure!
Inside Cambodia
Amazing photography, you certainly captured the architecture and structure, that big globe in the middle looks amazing
Hope you can visit Picture My World for My World Tuesday
seems more than new - even don't believe it already exist...
WOW that's impressive! We have two bridges by Calatrava near us, white and very futuristic.....
Hi Gattina! I like Calatrava's work!! This one is similar to the Orient Station he created in Lisbon for the Expo 98!! Great design!!
Sorry for the absence, but one week off means three weeks busy to recover... Blogtrotter Two is around the canals of Amsterdam... Enjoy and have a wonderful Easter weekend!!
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