S-Bahn trains will cross beneath the centre of Leipzig from December 2013. This is when the 5.3 kilometre long city tunnel Leipzig, a joint development of deutsche bahn ag and the free state of Saxony, will be completed. Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz / Platz der Friedlichen revolution station on the southern end of the historic city centre is one of four stations of the major project that is currently one of the largest inner-city infrastructure projects in Europe. The design of the station is based on architect Max Dudler’s successful competition entry from 1997. The swiss architect’s impressive 140 metre long and 20 metre wide station concourse has just recently been awarded the city of Leipzig’s architecture award.
© Stefan Müller . Published on November 29, 2013.
The station concourse, with a rectangular section and a slight longitudinal curve, is situated 20 metres below ground. Walls and ceilings of the elongated, column-free hall are clad with large, backlit prefabricated glass blocks set into a framework of fair-faced precast concrete. This gives the station concourse a bright and spacious feel. Extreme repetition of one and the same motif makes its actual dimensions almost intangible for passengers. The light-coloured, jointless terrazzo flooring of the insular platform acts as a quiet counterpoint to the seemingly endless pattern of the walls. All necessary station furniture is arranged on the platform in the shape of geometrical concrete sculptures, all functions such as seating, timetables and ticket machines having in a sense been subtracted from or carved out of the concrete cubes.
© Stefan Müller . Published on November 29, 2013.
The station concourse’s supporting structure of precast reinforced concrete is not visible behind the glass block cladding. The wall elements of the glass block envelope are anchored to a steel substructure on the tunnel wall. The ceiling elements are suspended from the building shell.
© Stefan Müller . Published on November 29, 2013.
Passengers access the station through the entrances on the north and south ends of the station that are fitted with solid stair- cases, escalators and elevators. The architectural design of the two entrances is in deliberate contrast to the filigree, seemingly transparent station concourse. As soon as they dip beneath the surface of the square, the staircases and their inner casings are made entirely of fair-faced concrete. The minimalist, almost coarse design conveys an impression of descending towards the interior of the earth, as if it was tunnelled directly into the rock. The stairs and the platform combine seamlessly into a monolithic ribbon. Similar to the station concourse, the aboveground entrance buildings have also been fitted with glass block components. They will help bring the square to life when illuminated at night.
© Stefan Müller . Published on November 29, 2013.
Wilhelm Leuschner was a social democrat politician and part of the resistance against National Socialism. Formerly known as Königsplatz, this square in Leipzig was renamed Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz in his honour in 1945. In 2013 it was finally renamed “Platz der Friedlichen Revolution” to honour the important role it played during German reunification.
© Stefan Müller . Published on November 29, 2013.
Station concourse dimensions
Height: 15 metres
Length: 141 metres
Width: 21 metres
Planning and construction period
1997 until December 2012
gross construction costs
EUR 17.5 million (building shell)
© Max Dudler Architekt . Published on November 29, 2013.
© Max Dudler Architekt . Published on November 29, 2013.
© Max Dudler Architekt . Published on November 29, 2013.