The winning design for the first high-speed rail terminal in the Czech Republic. The terminal building’s three-pronged roof embodies the dynamism of high-speed trains and opens its welcoming arms to passengers.

In the future, high-speed rail is expected to partially replace air travel. Newly constructed terminals should therefore resemble airport terminals in both character and function.

The terminal building is situated in the middle of the fields of the Elbe River Plain, and its location is protected by a newly planted ring of forest. The terminal is designed as a three-pointed star. The forecourt of the glass-enclosed entrance hall is defined by two fanning-out arms, between which the bus terminal is situated. The third arm extends perpendicularly across the tracks and forms a footbridge with an integrated departure hall, where passengers can wait in warmth with a direct view of passing trains. The terminal’s dynamic three-pointed shape evokes the speed of high-speed trains, and its arched curves echo the geometry of the track layout in the station’s rail yards.

In front of the open arms of the terminal’s entrance wings lies a piazzetta, toward which passengers are guided through the center. Four bus waiting bays are located along its side. Passengers are guided from the parking areas along pedestrian radial paths leading to the center of the terminal. The pedestrian paths are lined with trees and dividing strips of greenery.

The terminal’s roof consists of a lightweight steel truss structure covered with metal slats. The three-pointed roof “wing” is supported by reinforced concrete rings, which house the terminal’s enclosed facilities and elevators to the platforms. The terminal floor above the track clearance profile is designed as a reinforced concrete bridge structure. Along the railroad track, a reinforced concrete retaining wall has been constructed at the terminal site, which is embedded into the sloped railroad corridor on either side of the terminal. Within the area of the retaining wall, a reinforced concrete underground level containing technical systems and staff facilities is embedded beneath the center of the terminal.

Two covered platforms extending from the terminal include 1 drop-off and 3 pick-up spaces for cars, 5 taxi stands, and 5 Park & Ride (K+R) spaces. The boarding edges are covered with an overhang of approximately 2 meters, ensuring passengers can board and alight without getting their feet wet. On the covered platforms, the circular supports house facilities for bus drivers as well as storage for technical and cleaning supplies for the exterior. Bicycle parking is located in two separate covered parking areas on either side of the terminal. The glass-enclosed departure hall can be accessed from five sides via automatic doors. In the center of the hall is a circular structure housing the ticket office and information desk. Above the ticket counter is the main display showing train departures. The central circle also houses restrooms accessible via turnstiles. The entrance to the restrooms is designed as a maze, eliminating the need to touch a doorknob when exiting.

Seats are located along the sides of the entrance hall, providing a warm place for passengers waiting for a bus or taxi. There are four ticket vending machines in the entrance hall. The departure hall is located on a bridge over the tracks. It incorporates four retail units with shared facilities. The perimeter walls are entirely glass, offering an unobstructed view of the tracks. Glass-enclosed passageways with escalators and staircases lead from the departure hall to the island platform. On the platform, there is a partially enclosed area serving as a winter waiting room.