calatrava-designed station 'gare de mons' opens with rhythmic structure in belgium

"The Gare de Mons has opened in Belgium, marking the culmination of nearly two decades of design and construction led by Santiago Calatrava. Located near the French border, the multi-modal station connects local and international train lines while uniting the city's historic center to the south with the residential area to the north. The project represents a major infrastructural and civic investment for Mons, creating a symbolic and physical bridge across previously divided districts."

"Inside Santiago Calatrava's Gare de Mons, the Galerie de la Reine serves as the station's luminous core. The hall is framed by a sequence of branching supports in steel and concrete, and channels natural light across its polished floor and translucent ceiling panels. The architect's geometry produces a space that feels at once weightless and orderly, encouraging the steady flow of commuters while maintaining visual calm."

"From the street, the building's sweeping white form commands attention through its precision and scale. A vast glass canopy extends outward in a continuous curve, shading the grand staircase and escalators that rise toward the main concourse. The structure's rhythm of ribs and light evokes Calatrava's consistent dialogue between architecture and engineering that's rhythmic and expressive. images © Danica O. Kus Santiago Calatrava's luminous station"

Gare de Mons completes nearly two decades of Calatrava-led design and construction, creating a major infrastructural and civic asset for the city. The station sits near the French border and links local and international train lines while reconnecting the historic center to southern districts and residential neighborhoods to the north. The exterior presents a sweeping white form with a vast glass canopy sheltering stairs and escalators that lead to the main concourse. Inside, the Galerie de la Reine uses branching steel and concrete supports and translucent ceiling panels to channel natural light, producing a weightless, orderly space that facilitates commuter movement. Architectural photography emphasizes tonal precision, daylight patterns, and material transitions between glass, steel, and timber.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine