According to the study of the Phitsanulok High-speed Rail Station Development Plan by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, the project is located at the old train station and is center of Phitsanulok that it can be easily accessible to public transportation and become a landmark of the city. In addition, the potential of the province and the forecast of increasing the number of passengers and tourists. Phitsanulok High-Speed Railway Station project must be designed to support the development plan and expansion.

main entrance

The design goals are to solve problems in the past and present to meet international standards, to connect the rail system to other public transportation systems, to fit into the context of the city, to make an experience and impression for users, and to promote public space for the community. It can also improve the quality of life and well-being of people who live in the surrounding communities.

commercial

The building axis has 2 axes which are designed to support the railway line and the main entrance route to connect the west and the east of the city. The entrance hall is designed by protruding for both sides to connect two sides of the city. Especially on the west side, it is the main entrance hall which has commercial areas. Moreover, the drop-off area on the west side of the building is composed of 3 lanes for private cars, public transportation cars, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).

Parking areas are divided into 3 areas for private cars, public transportations, and staff cars. Private cars parking area consists of outdoor parking and 5-storey car park buildings to support long-term parking. For public transportations parking area, it is divided by car types which are tourist buses, taxis, vans, minibus, and rental cars. Lastly, the staff car parking area is adjacent to the service area.

zoning diagram

The design concept of function areas

The function areas have 3 floors. The 2nd-floor and 3rd-floor are platforms for double-track railway and high-speed railway, respectively. Thus, the 1st-floor area can be connected to two sides of the city and is designed for connecting between the station building and commercial areas which is included shops, restaurants, car parking areas, and other transportations. In addition, it is designed for the management and the improvement of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Therefore, new activities such as shopping, visiting a tourist attraction, and meeting point other than waiting and picking up passengers will be occurring in the station due to the development of this project. To conclude, the components of this project are the passenger service area, platform area, administration office area, railway service area, building service area, parking area, and commercial area.

entrance hall

The structure and space creation

The structure is inspired by the Indian cork tree which is a provincial tree of Phitsanulok. A Flower is the prominent part of the tree that is characterized by petals split into 4-5 petals, thus applying to the shape of structure and roof.

Through the abstraction and simplification of the Indian cork tree flower, the design is gotten from the basic of “flower unit” to create the structure and space for the entrance hall roof by considering natural lighting and drainage of rainwater. Thus, the rhythmic natural curves of the steel structure are split into 4 petals from each column. Meanwhile, the ceiling is made by a softwood truss that has been inspired by local handicrafts, and roofing is made by aluminum composite and transparent temper glass, alternately. Therefore, a skylight on the roof produces soft diffuse natural light including the drainage of rainwater that can be flowed down to the column to flow into the underground rainwater tank.

The structure of the platform roof is split into 4 petals from each column same as the entrance hall roof but it represents different spaces for each axis. The structure is made by a space truss with aluminum composite cladding and roofing is made by metal sheet.

platform roof