The world’s 10 best designed bus stations for 2016
#1 Unterkrumbach Nord Bus Stop
Architects: Ensamble Studio
Location: Krumbach, Vorarlberg, Austria
This bus stop was designed by Anton Garcia-Abril and Debora Mesa of the Madrid-based studio Ensamble as part of the Krumbach BUS:STOP project.
When coming up with a design, the two architects paid a study visit to one of the local timber drying barns. It was from this tour in understanding how the Vorarlberg region worked with local materials that their design emerged. Ensamble noted the timber being dried via a particular stacking method and used this vision to craft their bus stop.
The above video shows the making of the Unterkrumbach bus stop, courtesy of Ensamble Studio
Roughly-sawn oak planks are arranged atop one another to form what looks like a huge chair that provides a cave-like shelter with seating and ventilation.
The architects partnered with Dietrich/Untertrifaler, one of the esteemed Vorarlberg practices and carpenter Gerhard Berchtold for the finished installation. Ensamble hadn't yet worked with timber when working on this project, and describes the result as 'a performance with local craftsmen' whereby they combine a completely basic technique of wood stacking with an inventive design to give it a new perspective.
The stop lies on the northern outskirts of Krumbach village, providing beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
All images courtesy of Ensamble Studio