Foster + Partners' proposal wins competition to redevelop the Stockholm Central Station

An integrated team led by Foster + Partners in collaboration with Marge Arkitekter has been announced as the winner of the competition for the development of Stockholm Central Station in Stockholm. The winning design will bring several modes of transport together in a single integrated transport hub while prioritising pedestrian flows and creating a new mixed-use urban district.

Luke Fox, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said, “We are delighted to have won the design competition to reimagine the future of Stockholm Central Station. As the world’s collective focus shifts to more sustainable ways of living, working and travelling, it is vital that we enhance and redevelop our transport nodes and repair and connect the urban fabric around them. We look forward to developing these proposals with Jernhusen, Trafikverket and the City of Stockholm over the coming months.” The team also includes LAND Arkitektur, Thornton Tomasetti, Ramboll, Wenanders and TAM Group.

Located at the heart of the city, Stockholm Central Station is Sweden’s largest transportation hub and dates back to 1871. The historic station required a revamp as it now caters to more passengers than it was originally designed for and with plans to increase the number of trains coming into the city, the need for a new invention was eminent. The new transportation district will be built over the existing tracks. It will also re-link the surrounding streets to create a friendly public space that will stitch together the east and west sides of the city, improving passenger connections across Stockholm, without affecting the historic skyline.

The master plan will create a brand-new public square, allowing the new station precinct to become a natural part of the urban fabric. Pye Aurell Ehrström from Swedish firm, Marge Arkitekter, said, “It is fantastic to be involved in redefining Central Station's role at the heart for Stockholm, while at the same time providing new additions that reference the surrounding streetscape of traditional Klara block architecture, which respects the cultural values of the city.” It also offers an active public realm and better connectivity.

The design recreates the historic Station Railway Park on the southern tip of the project. With spectacular views over the old town of Gamla stan, Södermalm and the City Hall, it will be a new green meeting place in the city centre. The entrance hall will combine the new and historic parts of the station, linking the central station platforms, City Terminal Buses and Arlanda Express Trains. Angus Campbell, Senior Partner, Foster + Partners, added, “This is a historic undertaking. We are incredibly honoured to be tasked with developing our proposals further. Stockholm is a unique city with historic city silhouettes. We believe our proposals can form meaningful connections between the city and the central station area while creating green urban spaces for people to meet, as well as a central focus for sustainable travel at the heart of Stockholm.”

The proposals also seek to realign the new central tunnel to create a subterranean east-west link across the site. The design allows for the possibility of extending the tunnel to provide a below-ground connection to the Citybanan in the future. The tunnel will then connect the extended platforms of the Central Station, Arlanda Express and the Bus Station in the City Terminal, bringing together four modes of transport to create a single intermodal station. Planning consultations are scheduled to begin in 2023.