Zurich Wipkingen
Zurich Wipkingen station is connected to Zurich Main Station via the Wipkinger Viaduct and to Oerlikon via the Wipkinger Tunnel. The station, viaduct, and tunnel have undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to meet current railway security requirements. The project creates a permeable, open, and barrier-free mobility hub that ties into the district’s network of pedestrian routes. Clear and welcoming access points, improved public spaces, and precise architectural interventions transform the site into a recognisable urban landmark.
Restoration and Adaptation of the Wipkinger Viaduct
The listed Wipkinger Viaduct (1892–1893) has been restored, including repairs to its masonry arches and steel truss bridges. To meet today’s clearance profile and the standard track spacing of 3.80 m, the project introduced a UHFB trough with lateral cantilever slabs. This slim construction method meets the spatial requirements while preserving the viaduct’s historic character and architectural integrity.
Redesign of the Platforms
The former central platform has been replaced by two 310 m-long side platforms set as linear concrete volumes on the artificial embankment. A continuous railing emphasises the horizontality of the infrastructure, while the rhythm of regularly spaced overhead line masts and roof supports gives the station a vertical sequence. The 260 m-long platform canopy, passenger service centre, information posts and seating are all made of steel, unified in a cohesive architectural language and finished in black. New lifts and staircases at the main entrance from Nordbrücke, along with barrier-free secondary accesses via the southern underpass and ramps to Rousseaustrasse, ensure step-free travel and strengthen the station’s integration into the surrounding neighbourhood.
Nordbrücke as a Mobility Hub
A generous roof links the bus stop at street level with the station below. One lift and a staircase running parallel to the platforms provide access from the widened Nordbrücke to each platform, creating intuitive, direct connections for passengers. As a prominent architectural feature, the roof gives the station a clear identity in the urban space and marks the bridge as a recognisable interchange between rail and bus.
The steel structure, supported on the lift cores, measures 19.55 m in length, cantilevers 8.30 m, and is 1.60 m high. Its dimensions create a balanced relationship between lift shafts, roof volume, and the urban realm. The rhythm of the load-bearing structure determines the dimensions of the anodised aluminium frames with expanded metal panels. The mesh is oriented towards the street, making the envelope permeable, revealing the structure as a technical element, and allowing daylight to filter through – creating, despite its large span, a light and transparent roof that offers orientation and connects the city with the infrastructure.
