South Station Complex in Sierre
- Sabine Drey
As is so often the case, the railway line in the little Swiss town of Sierre is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it links this location with Geneva; on the other hand, it forms something of a barrier to the Rhône valley to the south. Up to now, few industrial concerns have established themselves there. The new bus station and the construction of a large commercial college were designed to make the town more attractive, and a pedestrian bridge now links the southern areas with the urban centre, the station forecourt and the railway. Visitors can leave their cars in the adjoining underground garage, where some 200 parking spaces exist as well as electric-vehicle charging facilities. The architects also developed an orientation system for the garage with graphic floor markings and a different colour design for the two levels in red and pale green. The facades of the parking structure, which is only partially buried in the ground, are clad with a steel mesh that allows natural ventilation.
