Henning Larsen's winning design for the New Terminal Hall of the Prague Main Railway Station

Danish studio Henning Larsen Architects has won the competition dialogue for the revitalization and reconstruction of the main railway station area in Prague with its design Šťastný Hlavák (Happy Main Station). Its main idea is a natural connection between Vrchlického Sady park, the New Terminal Hall, the new tram stop directly in front of the station and the historic Fanta building. The proposed design of the whole area emphasises sustainability, micromobility and bringing life back to Vrchlického Sady park.

The vision of Šťastný Hlavák is to welcome visitors to the city and prepare the public space to be a comfortable place for residents and passengers. The dominant feature of the design is the wooden roof structure, which brings a connection between the Vrchlického Sady area, the New Terminal Hall and the planned tram stop. The studio also divided Vrchlického sady into three parts - a cultural zone, a "station square" and a zone for additional activities. The division will also contribute to a much better visibility of the whole area. The design also works to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and provides solutions for sustainable management of the whole area, for example through efficient rainwater management or a new approach to the park as an interpretation of the historic subdivision.