Toulouse, France’s renowned “aerospace capital,” is embracing a bold new vision for sustainable mobility. As urban populations and commuting demands grow, the city has launched a major infrastructure initiative — the Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub, designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) in collaboration with A+Architects. This landmark project aims to merge architectural innovation, environmental responsibility, and future-ready public transport.
Contents :
1.Connecting the City Through Design
2.Flowing Aesthetics in a Green Structure
3.Timber at the Core of Low-Carbon Innovation
4.Beyond Transit: A Public Space for the Future
5.Human-Centered Mobility and Cultural Identity
6.bestwood × Sustainable Architecture
Connecting the City Through Design
Situated beside Gare Matabiau Station, the new Marengo Hub will seamlessly integrate metro, bus, and railway networks into a single multimodal hub — becoming one of the most vital transit centers in southern France. The architectural form draws inspiration from Toulouse’s historic red-brick roofs and local building traditions. Featuring layered timber structures combined with low-carbon concrete, the hub harmonizes modern functionality with the city’s heritage.
Flowing Aesthetics in a Green Structure
The hub’s signature curved roof appears to rise organically from the ground, reflecting movement and fluidity — a poetic tribute to transit itself. Inside, daylight floods open courtyards filled with native greenery, creating a calm, nature-inspired environment for daily commuters. The underground level offers 1,000 bicycle parking spaces, while landscape elements echo the natural vegetation of southwestern France, making commuting not just efficient, but emotionally connected to nature.
Timber at the Core of Low-Carbon Innovation
Every design choice reinforces the project’s commitment to sustainability. Locally sourced rose-red brick and precast concrete minimize cement dependency while preserving the city’s visual identity. The structural beams and ceilings are crafted from low-carbon engineered timber, showcasing wood’s potential as a renewable building material. The roof, covered with rose-tinted solar panels, further enhances the hub’s self-sufficient energy performance. Together, these strategies earned the project recognition under multiple international green building certifications.
Beyond Transit: A Public Space for the Future
The Marengo Hub is more than a transport station — it’s a living urban space that blurs the line between movement and community. The ground level features a public plaza and a “Climate House” exhibition center, linking the metro’s Blue Line to Toulouse’s historic district. This architectural gesture bridges the city’s past and future, redefining transit as an extension of civic life.
Human-Centered Mobility and Cultural Identity
The hub stands as a symbol of Toulouse’s commitment to tackling climate challenges through architectural innovation. Walking through the building, visitors can sense how sunlight, timber, and red brick create a tactile narrative of sustainability — where mobility, architecture, and culture coexist in harmony. It’s not just infrastructure; it’s a human-centered response to a global challenge.
bestwood × Sustainable Architecture
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Source :
https://www.archdaily.com/1014916/big-and-a-plus-architects-reveal-design-for-mass-timber-transport-hub-in-france
https://forgemind.net/media/big-marengo-multimodal-transport-hub/
