PRECEDENT

Despang Architeckten Tram Stations

In 2000, the capital of Lower Saxony was to host the World Expo 200, the first world fair to take place in Germany. This event planned for 40 million visitors to visit, meaning a range of city improvements were carried out to accommodate for the footfall; one of these being the cities tram stations. Designed to be easily mass produced, various materials would wrap standardised steel structures, using materials that responded to its individual location. Through urban analysis, designers began to understand the size, density and the character of the areas around these stops that informed which veneer would be appropriate to its location.

Technically, the tram stations demonstrate the universal capability of the steel frame, as this could be easily shopfabricated, and is also adaptable, as prefabricated elements could easily be attached to this basic framework. The cladding is not only chosen for its scale and visual qualities, but also for its weather resistance properties as without a protective cladding normal mild steel is vulnerable to oxidation in the atmosphere, especially in urban or industrial environments. Strategically, applying the material to the steel veneer came with its difficulties, depending on the claddings thickness, weight and compatibility with steel. For instance, copper cladding was ‘isolated from the steel frame using a woodsheathed substructure’ to avoid ‘bimetallic corrosion’.

The project also considers sustainability, through choosing renewable or long service life materials but also through choosing fittings that are designed so the cladding can easily be repaired or replaced. Since 2006, the stations have performed well with less demand for repairs than expected. With most of the elements prefabricated, the amount of site work was reduced to a minimum which improved quality and reduced costs. The imaginative use of materials has been successful in establishing a sense of place within Hanover, as well as enabling the stop to be readily recognised by regular passengers– overall creating an informed and cohesive design.