1. Bus Station at Spaarne Hospital
This mammoth creation of architects NIO of Holland, located as a roundabout in front of Hoofddorp’s Spaarne Hospital, resembles a whale’s jaw. It was built in 2003 and emerged as a cross between black Baroque and white modernism, à la Oscar Niemeyer. One of the largest structures built entirely of synthetic materials, this bus station is made of enormous pieces of polystyrene foam clad in polyester skin.
2. Poole Bus Station
The 40-year-old Wilts & Dorset Poole Bus Station, renovated by Penson Architects, resembles a living dream. It is a giant mural, based on views of various local activities, such as wind-surfing which gives the appearance of a huge piece of glass reflecting the station activities below. Moving beneath the mural, different textures, shapes, and patterns materialize to form larger diverse elements that take visitors by surprise.
3. Slough Bus Station
The curved construction also offers sanctuary to pedestrians walking between the town center and the railway station. The aluminum-shingled building’s smooth metallic look changes continuously in accordance with the varying light conditions. A 130-meter glistening aluminum canopy flows down at one end to enfold a shimmering two-story structure that envelops a ticket office, cafe, waiting room, and toilets.
4. Cloud-Like Canopy for Bus Station in Aarau
Zurich architects Mateja Vehovar and Stefan Jauslin designed this reflective and semi-translucent, bluish ETFE canopy that reminds us of an air cushion. Hovering over the bus station, this bubble canopy features a fine print courtesy of Jauslin and Paolo Monaco. This pneumatic wonder gets recirculated air with the help of four underground 120-meter polyethylene tubes while four others carry the air back to the control unit. Quietly inclined pillars brace the canopy making it appear as light as a cloud.
5. Bus Station in Osijek
Architects Predrag and Bruno Rechner of Rechner, Osijek, Croatia shaped this lengthy bus station in accordance with the city’s outline along the river Drava. The glass-wrapped two-story building houses an underground public garage and 16 bus platforms. Buses arrive via checkpoints, while passengers come through the station building. The wavy roof affords cover throughout the terminal, which gives users a feeling of sailing on long, low waves.