Until recently, those traveling by train to Collalbo found a paved road and a crowded parking lot at the station exit. However, the Municipality has decided to radically transform this area, with the visionary project by Roland Baldi Architects that redesigned the station area as a welcoming space for residents and tourists.
In the immediate vicinity of the train station, the new Intermodal Center has recently been inaugurated, another work of urban architecture by Roland Baldi Architects. This center includes a bus station, a parking lot, and an underground garage, dedicated to both residents and commuters. The station square is the final piece to complete the new mobility plan of the town.
The new square, designed to be a place for meeting and relaxation, is a true architectural gem. Travelers on the historic Renon railway line, which offers breathtaking views of the Dolomites, are now welcomed by an elegant square at the terminus. This space invites tourists to stop, orient themselves with an information panel, and perhaps meet friends at the crowded tables of the station bar.
The pavement of the square is characterized by alternating strips of green and red porphyry cobblestones, creating a carpet of natural stone that covers the entire area in front of the station building and extends to the tracks. The porphyry strips are interrupted by small green areas and seating. The flower beds host boxwoods, succulent plants, sedge bushes, and red maples, while the pavement stones rise in various points to form resting areas with seats made of Swiss stone pine.
The urban furnishings, including bins, bike racks, and lampposts, have been made of corten steel, known for its characteristic rust color. Additionally, the imposing oak tree in front of the station bar has been preserved, offering a pleasant shade to patrons.
The area in front of the station has been completely redesigned. The road and parking lot have been removed and replaced by the square, accessible only to residents, who can cross it at a walking pace. Natural stone bumps at the ends of the square remind drivers of the speed limit, ensuring safety and tranquility. Before entering the square, a roundabout with parking spaces serves as a "kiss and ride" area, dedicated to short stops to drop someone off at the station.
Despite the changes, a bronze sculpture by the artist Franz Messner has been preserved: a goat peeking through its mirror at some sparrows, also in bronze, who seem to be whistling from the station roof: See you in the Square!.
