Gare Massy-Palaiseau, Massy

FRANCE
Massy

Architects and Structural Engineers::
Direction Amenagement SNCF, Paris
J.M. Duthilleul (Architect/Engineer), P.O. Comarteau (Architect), A. Pascal (Architect)

A love of engineering, of speed and of the sea all find exuberant expression in the new TGV Atlantique line. Nothing since the Eiffel Tower has caught the public imagination quite so strongly as the Train a Grande Vitesse. The success of the TGV south-east line had shown that high speed comfort and reliability can successfully go together, and bring enormous benefits to a town. The new TGV line out of Paris towards the Atlantic involved the construction of new track, eight new stations and the reconstruction of 24 others. The philosophy behind the line was that the railway station should regain its 19th century status as the gateway to the outside world and the symbol of the town to the incoming traveller. High priority was attached to the creation of buildings which reflect the emotion of travel, which can 'tell the story' of the Atlantic. Thus the traveller from Paris to the coast passes through a series of station which visually anticipate the sea - white sails supported on steel structures in silver grey and deep blue. Steel cables, masts, buckles and shackles put one in mind of marine architecture. Train travel once more becomes an exciting and enjoyable experience, one available to business and leisure traveller alike.

Massy station's bold suspended steel roof structure signals a new found image and importance associated with the arrival of the TGV. Steel cables pierce the textile roof skin to connect the diagonally crossed truss girders to external support masts. The fine steel tracery of the roof structure subtly evokes 19th century station iron work, and the light airy central hall with its transparent walls recreates a certain grandeur of space.