A gateway to Brittany, Rennes station epitomises the architectural transformation that seals the connection between the two riverbanks of the city and facilitates transport links.

AREP has redesigned the station to improve the management of pedestrian flows associated with the arrival of the Bretagne-Pays de la Loire line (30 million passengers expected by 2040).  This transformation of a 19th century "bridge-station" has been  a real technical and architectural achievement and part  of a broader urban reflection The cloud floatingover the built landscape acts both as a roof  to the extension of the station and a façade while providing  a sense of place identity. 

It consists of four seven-metre-wide sheets of ETFE cushions, a light-weight material used as an alternative to glass. The sheets are transparent and partially overlap each other, thereby letting natural and artificiallight floodin. They are supported by a tree-like structure made up  of metal posts and timber chords. Each of these posts is rooted at level -1 of the station and stretches up to 17 metres to reach the roof. Under the cloud  an origami-like complex structure with 320 facets tops  the interchange area. On the outside, a new footbridge spanning the rail tracks, the Anita Conti footbridge with its landscaped  ha-ha, extends the interchange area and gradually rises  to 11 metres before reaching down to the South forecourt.

AREP Group's mission:

Transformation of the station, extension and creation of new intermodal connections. Complete service from project creation and concept design through to practical completion

Environmental metrics and solutions – EMC2B:

Energy

•  Station spaces floodd with natural light

•  Centralised control of the station's technical systems

Materials

•  Preservation of the platform façade and the station bridge roof dating back to 1980. The floor of the station bridge is made of bamboo to ensure passenger comfort

Carbon

•  Carbon footprint of the station: 1,500 kg eqCO2 / sqm

•  50% of the CO2 emissions result from the construction materials

Climate

•  3,100 sqm of green spaces

•  Screen-printed ETFE cushion

Biodiversity

The built landscape along with the ha-ha help:

•  improve the microclimate and air quality for the entire city block

•  develop the natural functions of the soil

•  rainwater infiltation and evaporation through plants

•  create and upgrade a vital space for the fauna and flora