Transport hub by Bjarke Ingels Group and A+ Architects

BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group and A+ Architects unveil design for the 12,000 m2 Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub in France’s fourth largest city, Toulouse. Located adjacent to the central station Gare Matabiau, the building will expand the city center and strengthen its public transport networks by uniting bus, railway and metro under one roof.

As part of the masterplan, the Marengo Multimodal Transport Hub will revitalize the urban area, facilitate seamless travel, and triple the number of daily passengers travelling to and from the city. Constructed mainly in wood, the building is set to attain Silver Occitanie Sustainable Buildings certification, as well as the Biodiversity Effinature and HQE Infrastructure certification.


Referencing the city’s roofscape and traditional use of the “foraine” brick, the building is characterized by a rose-colored, crystalline roof. From the main entrance canopy in the south, the hub’s structure gradually rises in a sloping movement towards the north, reaching 32 meters in height towards the railway tracks. Local plants and trees are planted in the building and bike station.

Passing the bus station and entering through the main entrance, travelers are led below ground to Gare Matabiau, railway, metro lines and the transport hub’s hang-out areas. A 4,400 m2 area spread across the ground floor and two sub-levels will feature flexible and informal public spaces, including areas for rest as well as commercial and cultural activities like exhibitions, conferences, and workshops.

As the structure grows in height, each level gradually recedes, creating a triangular shape. This enables visual connections across floors and pulls daylight down to the building’s lowest levels. The hub’s two sub-level floors will connect to the 1000-unit open-air bike parking. Floors one to six will function as a 6,600 m2 office space for 350 employees of the Occitanie Region. Rammed earth and textiles will be used for partitions, and the ground as well as underground floors will be constructed with low carbon, rose-colored concrete. The roof will further be composed of photovoltaics matching the rose color of the roof, punctured by skylights, allowing in natural light.

The new transport hub’s folded roof defines the main hall with lush greenery and ample daylight, welcoming visitors and leading them to metro and train tracks below. Use of mass timber, low carbon concrete, and natural ventilation throughout, with photovoltaics on the roof, transforms this simple yet multifunctional design into Toulouse’s new landmark.

Renderings: BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group