Archello Awards 2025: Open for Entries! Submit your best projects now.
Archello Awards 2025: Open for Entries!
Submit your best projects now.

HALO

Applied products
View all applied products

Halo is the result of an international design competition for an urban elevator and its corresponding aerial passage connecting to the roof of the intermodal station of Vigo, spanning over the Atlantic highway and linking to the downtown area of the city, as part of the strategic urban regeneration plan VIGO VERTICAL.

photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado

The unique circumstances surrounding a mobility issue in this city area allowed to change a problem into an opportunity of exceptional urban interest and landmark attraction.

photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado

The panoramic urban elevators are among the select group of public facilities that reshape the city's image. Beyond representing civilizational progress in the daily lives of people by enhancing accessibility, social inclusion, environmental protection, and resource sustainability, the panoramic elevators also serve as landmarks and symbols of collective identity.

photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado

Who can imagine Lisbon downtown without the Santa Justa elevator? Or Salvador da Bahia without the majestic of the Lacerda elevator?

These objects are apart from architectural vocabulary. Much more than being part of the city's architecture, they are primarily constructions, structures, and engineering feats.

The work was divided with Ing. Miguel Sacristán of Arenas Y Asociados - Design Engineering and the Architect Alexandre Mouriño of AM2 Arquitectos.

photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado

The elevator establishes a link between the roof of the intermodal station of Vigo, a project by Morphosis led by Pritzker laureate Thom Mayne, and the area of the Garcia Barbón and Rosalía de Castro, streets, located 50 meters below.

The high-speed station building comprises the terminal, the bus station, and two levels of a shopping center.

The proposal is basically constituted by a suspended pedestrian walkway in a ring shape, with a diameter of 90 meters, supported by a trapezoidal-based tower, with approximately 6 x 6 meters, to host two elevators, each with a capacity of 17 people.

photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado

The tower stands on the top of Serafin Avendaño Street, pointing the street's axis and attracting the attention of the citizens in the maritime port area, especially the users of the Guixar railway station. At the top of the tower, the pedestrian access to the roof of the intermodal station was divided into two arches, forming the ring. Each arch is supported on either side of the glass volume of the panoramic central atrium, emerging from the intermodal station's roof.

photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella
photo_credit João Morgado
João Morgado
photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella
photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella

The northern promenade is covered and protected along its entire outer face, providing comfort for citizens' traffic throughout the year. It is less transparent and not so panoramic. The milky translucency of its glass protection surface ensures privacy for the residences in the towers of Calle Garcia Barbón. The western arch is an open-air walkway offering panoramic views over the city and of the ocean, making it more appealing to tourists.

photo_credit Attilio Fiumarella
Attilio Fiumarella
Caption
Caption
Caption

The facades of the tower and the circle are covered with a printed glass, presenting a translucent white appearance. This milky appearance of the glass allows for the metal structure and elevator movement to be discerned from the outside. From the inside of the structure, glimpses of the city can be seen. All the sections of the structure are covered in white solid surface.

photo_credit NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
photo_credit NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
photo_credit NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
photo_credit NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS
NOARQ+AM2+ARENAS&ASOCIADOS

Project credits

Author and Architect
Solid Surfaces
Author and Structural Engineering:ARENAS & ASOCIADOS - Eng. Miguel Sacristán Montesinos

Product spec sheet

Manufacturers
Manufacturers
Suppliers
Suppliers
Suppliers

Project data

Project Year
2024
Category
Bridges
Primary Building Material
Other
Steel
Building Area
900 m2
Share or Add HALO to your Collections