Lyon-Satolas TGV Station
Santiago Calatrava

Photo: arcspace

The Lyon-Satolas Station is the terminus for the TGV trains connecting the airport to the city of Lyon, 30 kilometers to the south.

The almost forty meter tall steel and concrete structure refers to the metaphor of a enormous bird with spread out wings.

Arriving by car you enter the Main Hall through a "Gateway" formed by a concrete V-shaped abutment that join the ends of four steel arches. The center pair of arches follow the line of the roof to form a spine,  the outer curved beams span over two glazed symmetrical concourse wings.


Photo: arcspace

In the triangular Main Hall  the central spine is formed by three arches braced together by diagonal beams.  Two large cantilevered balconies penetrate the space. The adjoining concrete service building is fitted with a steel and glass window wall that overlooks the Main Hall.


Photo: arcspace

The spine is supported by a concrete mass on the east and two supports, integrated with lift towers, on the west. The uppermost arch of the spine is a steel box of triangular section while the two lower arches are composed of steel tubes. The cross bracing members vary in size and are assembled four by four along the central tubes.

Photo: arcspace  

Photo: arcspace  

Photo: arcspace

Photo: arcspace

From the Main Hall, where all the station's and  airport services are positioned, two vaulted glass and steel concourse wings connect to the train platforms. Cast on site concrete elements support the platform roof and visually complement the roof modules in the main terminal area. The roof is either glazed or filled with prefabricated concrete sections.

Photo: arcspace

In the main Hall, opposite the entrance, a 180 meter long Gallery connects the station to the airport terminal. The Gallery can also be accessed directly from the overnight parking area.

Photo: arcspace

Photo: arcspace