BIG & A+ Architects unveil design featuring landmark photovoltaic roof

Tenderstream member Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and A+ Architects have unveiled designs for the 12,000 sq m Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub in Toulouse, France, located adjacent to the central station Gare Matabiau on the eastern border of the city. The building will expand the city centre beyond the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi and strengthen its public transport networks by uniting bus, railway and metro facilities under one roof.

Referencing the traditional “foraine” brick that charactersises the city skyline, the building features a striking rose-coloured crystalline roof, composed from photovoltaics and punctured by skylights providing the interior with natural light. From the main entrance canopy in the south, the hub’s structure gradually rises in a sloping movement towards the north, reaching 32 metres in height towards the railway tracks. Local plants and trees planted in the building and bike station echo the vegetation of the Haute-Garonne region. The ground floor and two sub-levels feature flexible and informal public spaces, including areas for rest as well as commercial and cultural activities. Here, Maison du Climat, an initiative to further the public’s knowledge on environmental topics, will manage an event space for exhibitions, conferences, and workshops. The upper floors function as office space for 350 employees of the Occitanie Region. 

Jakob Sand, partner in charge at BIG, stated: "The new Transport hub's folded roof, rising from the Marengo parvis, defines the main hall with lush greenery and ample daylight, welcoming visitors and leading them to metro and train tracks below...Pursuing low carbon solutions in the design, we employed mass timber, low carbon concrete, and natural ventilation throughout, with photovoltaics on the roof. This simple yet multifunctional design transforms the roof into Toulouse's new landmark.”

Construction is set to begin in 2026, with the completion of the underground connection to Gare Matabiau and metro station scheduled for 2028. 

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 20.01.2023 here

Start your free trial here or email our team directly at customerservices@tenderstream.com