Intercambiador de Valdebebas

More than just a transport hub – Intercambiador de Valdebebas

One of Spain’s largest transport hubs has been built in a suburb of Madrid: the Intercambiador de Valdebebas combines bus stations, metro lines, a suburban railway line and park-and-ride facilities on an area of around 7,000 m2. From this station, passengers can travel to numerous destinations both within and outside Madrid.

To make longer stays as pleasant as possible for the estimated 35,000 people who use the Intercambiador every day, commercial and leisure areas have also been integrated. Even during the planning and development phase, it was clear that the building and the entire site would have to meet the highest quality and sustainability standards.

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Eine Nahaufnahme vom Dach des Kinderkrankenhauses

Inspired by Expo 1958

The central building, which combines all transport options, is visible from afar and gives the Intercambiador a distinctive look. The building’s unique design is based on the Spanish pavilion that was exhibited at Expo 1958 in Brussels: Designed by architects José Antonio Corrales Gutiérrez and Ramón Vázquez Molezún, the Spanish Pavilion was notable for its hexagonal structures. The modular and reusable system was dismantled after the exhibition in Brussels and is now located on Calle de los Hexágonos in Madrid.

The Madrid-based architectural firm Abalo Arquitecto has taken up the design of the Spanish pavilion and is developing it further. The roof landscape of the Intercambiador also follows a hexagonal pattern and is reminiscent of folded umbrellas lined up next to each other. The implementation takes into account the conditions of the site and adapts organically in its gradations.

Das Kinderkrankenhaus bei Nacht in der Vogelperspektive

Seventeen hexagons

The many light-coloured exterior surfaces, the large glass fronts of the building and the brightly designed metal structures are complemented by aluminium roof surfaces. The 17 hexagonal ‘umbrellas’ were covered with Kalzip 65/400 in stucco design. The standing seam profiles channel rainwater like a funnel into the centre of each hexagon. Equipped with a primary and secondary drainage system, efficient drainage of rainwater is ensured. The roof has also been fitted with appropriate thermal insulation to protect against energy loss in winter and excessive heating of the building in summer.

The roof structure with the Kalzip system also contributes to the quality and sustainability goals of the project. In addition to a recycling content of up to 98% aluminium, the system is characterised by high corrosion resistance, low maintenance and a long service life.