Railway station designed for hygge
Prague’s Central Station has already undergone years of renovation work. The design by Henning Larsen aims to redevelop the district’s less desirable areas and transform the station into an attractive destination with a spectacular timber construction.
Four years ago, the central railway station in Prague celebrated its 150th anniversary. When the first train from Vienna arrived in Praha hlavní nádraží in 1871, there were nine passengers on board. This was the pioneering era of rail travel. The station enjoyed its heyday at the beginning of the 20th century with the new terminal designed by Czech architect Josef Fanta, which is among the country’s most noteworthy art nouveau buildings. Powerful steam locomotives and the majestic steel girder hall heralded the beginning of industrialization.
An eyesore on the cityscape
However, the image of this magnificent railway station has faded as time has passed. Once a symbol of progress and modern thinking, the area has become an eyesore. For a long time, it was even among the most dangerous places in this city on the River Moldova. The terminal building from the 1970s was filled with snack bars; the adjacent park was a trouble spot with drugs, prostitution and the homeless. Local people nicknamed the area “Sherwood” in reference to Robin Hood and his band of outlaws.
In the early 2000s, the Czech Railway joined forces with Italian investor Grandi Stazioni to radically modernize the district around the station. Prague-based architect Patrik Kotas supplied the master plan for the renewal and transformation process, which pays tribute to the location’s former glory. Large sections of the listed buildings have now been renovated, gambling halls and drinking holes being replaced by the florists, newsagents and fast-food outlets typical of other major railway stations.
Station as new destination
For the next stage of the new station quarter Nový hlavák, assistance was sought from the High North, where they specialize in creating public spaces with “hygge”. This is far more than just an interior decorating trend, and means a comfortable ambience where people come together in a relaxed setting. Danish architecture studio Henning Larsen Architects were chosen as winners of the international competition to redesign the terminal building and the notorious Vrchlického Park.
We envision Nový Hlavák as a place where people gather, linger, and make meaningful connections – a truly inclusive and inviting urban oasis within the heart of Prague.
Greta Tiedje, Associate Design Lead, Henning Larsen
Currently a place that people avoid, the green space outside the station will be turned into a park where families can spend time and relax. Initial visualizations show the greened zones with people enjoying picnics and meeting up for yoga. This uninviting part of the city is set to become a destination in itself, as explained by Greta Tiedje from Henning Larsen: “We envision Nový Hlavák as a place where people gather, linger, and make meaningful connections – a truly inclusive and inviting urban oasis within the heart of Prague.”
Timber construction at its finest
The central element in this new quarter is a spectacular timber canopy. In the future, this free-form glulam construction will be one of Czechia’s biggest timber structures. Reaching a height of 13.8 metres, the canopy will serve not just as the new gateway to the historic building designed by Fanta, but also as a connecting link that unites the park, the station facilities and public transport as a single entity. A transparent lightweight roof made of the strong synthetic material ETFE will extend across and provide constructional protection for the timber.
The current car park will make way for a safe, pedestrian-friendly area that prioritizes low-emission transport. Micro-mobility, public transport and connections to an efficient cycle network are all expected to add an element of Copenhagen to the Czech capital. A new tram line provides a direct connection between the railway station and the national museum as a new asset for arriving tourists. In total, visitor figures are expected to increase by 200 percent and capacity is being expanded accordingly.
Lower emissions, greater quality of life
Ultimately, this prestigious timber construction is expected to provide a new kind of station experience. Its aim is to draw on the spirit of optimism from the era of its golden age while conveying the expectations of future mobility, with lower emissions and greater quality of life for the city’s residents. This outlook is highlighted by an impressive timber structure, which itself represents tomorrow’s climate-friendly construction methods.
Nový Hlavák is designed to evoke traditional station sentiments, a nostalgic and familiar experience that transforms the act of passing through the station into a truly fantastic moment.
Jacob Kurek, Global Market Director, Henning Larsen
Nový Hlavák is designed to evoke traditional station sentiments, a nostalgic and familiar experience that transforms the act of passing through the station into a truly fantastic moment,” remarks Jacob Kurek, Global Market Director at Henning Larsen. In an interview with ubm magazine., he explains how sustainability can be achieved regardless of location and reveals the most important factors to be considered.
The iconic elements of the modernist terminal – such as striped paved flooring and playful curved shapes – will be integrated into the new design and taken outdoors as well. Here, in future these curved shapes will indicate zones where people can linger, clearly set apart from the linear transportation zones.
It remains to be seen whether the park is still nicknamed “Sherwood” even after its redevelopment. Construction is not expected to start until 2028 at the earliest.
Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Visualizations: KVANT, Vivid Vision, Henning Larsen Architects