Stations Milan and Roma

Milano Centrale and Roma Termini are among the busiest hubs in Europe, together attracting more than 300 million passengers annually. More than ever, stations like these move beyond their role as transit hubs and become important public spaces. In turn, leading to the growing interest of retail ventures. Grandi Stazion (the Italian national rail organisation) commissioned us to answer the question; how do we balance retail, transit and public quality?

Our answer; let public quality prevail. Milano Centrale and Roma Termini are beautiful building but their elegance has faded, burdened by years of badly planned retail. Paradoxically, the clogging up of the station by retail, leads to lower retail yields.

Our design unclogs and introduces a clear structure. Every domain (transit area, public axis, etc.) is matched by supporting retail. The architecture of the domains fit the historical importance of the station. The monumental quality of the station regains its original radiance. We have not ‘made’ architecture, we simply revealed its slumbering beauty by cutting away; reintroducing space and a sense of calm.