Twelve Structure Corporations Shortlisted to Redesign Budapest’s Nyugati Railway Station

The city of Budapest, though Budapest Development Agency (BFK), launched an international design competition this autumn for the comprehensive renewal of the Budapest Nyugati Railway Station and its surroundings. The initiative seeks to expand the train station’s capacity in order to reach Budapest’s railway transport goals of doubling the number of trains on the suburban and metropolitan network. After an initial phase that attracted 36 participants, 12 practices were shortlisted for the second round of the competition, among which are Benthem Crouwel Architects, Grimshaw Architects, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, Kengo Kuma & Associates and Sweco.

The competition seeks to preserve the heritage hall recently renovated and expand the train station’s capacity in conjunction with the upgrade of the railway line, which will increase the frequency of the trains. The project will create a two-storey terminal station with 13 tracks above ground and six underground. As explained by Dávid Vitézy, CEO of Budapest Development Agency (BFK), “this will double the capacity of the station, while reducing its footprint, allowing for the creation of a new park and new urban development areas”. By upgrading the public realm and creating the linear park along the railway, the project will revitalise derelict areas within the city centre. The design brief also enlists the creation of pedestrian and cycling links along the railway.