Plzeň has a renovated train station according to the design of the A8000 studio

Train transport is on the rise. The reconstruction of the main train station awaits not only Prague and Brno but has also passed through Pilsen. The new appearance of the station building was designed by the architectural studio A8000 in association with SUDOP PRAHA. The studio has rich experience with transportation structures and also participated in the recent reconstruction of the station in České Budějovice. In Pilsen, the architects from A8000 returned architectural quality and life to the station's neglected interior spaces. The most significant change has been in the regular movement of passengers. They can now utilize a clear central area for ticket counters, shop at an expanded commercial gallery, or enjoy lunch at a restaurant right on the platform before departure. The color scheme has returned to the original cream and gray. The main hall has been complemented with a replica of the original historic flooring.

The overall reconstruction of the main train station building in Pilsen began in May 2021. The construction work took more than 3 years. The entire building received a new roof and facade.

“The reconstruction followed the modernization of platforms and other parts of the station. Now, the main overall revitalization of the monument-protected building and its surroundings has taken place. The renovated station is a huge opportunity for the development of the entire city,” says Jiří Svoboda, General Director of the Railway Administration.

The most striking change in the interior has occurred in the upper hall, which has now acquired the character of a shopping arcade. The function of the station has thus expanded according to current trends into a kind of transportation and commercial hub, where people do not hesitate to wait for their next train connection. Retail space has increased by 150 m². Another noticeable improvement is the significant brightening of the upper hall.

The A8000 studio approached the transformation of the historical station interior confidently but with respect for the original building. For instance, the color scheme has changed. The interior now features sensitive and unobtrusive shades of gray, white, and cream, just as it did fifty years ago. This has altered the station's expression and restored its lost nobility. The interior is complemented by durable seating furniture made of cast materials such as Corian. The flooring is implemented as a replica of the original historic flooring.
Significant alterations have been made to the central ticket sales counter and the information center. Passengers can now buy tickets from all transport companies at one place, which was previously not possible. The architects aimed primarily at increasing transparency of the space and its visual unity. Therefore, the central ticket counters are connected by a black counter with a minimalist design. All restrooms are barrier-free, and new orientation systems assist the visually impaired and hearing-impaired. The entire space is monitored by security cameras.

“We renovated the historical parts of the station with respect and built the new ones using modern materials, so that the new and old would be in mutual harmony. This approach is closest to us. However, we place the greatest emphasis on simplifying the journey for passengers. The internal space of the station should now be unambiguously clear and functional for them. The current operation of the station building is somewhat unreadable, and the counters are scattered in several places,” says architect Pavel Kvintus from the A8000 studio.

The key idea of the design is to connect the station with the city. A new feature is a restaurant with an outdoor seating area that enlivens the unused space behind the station. Passengers can thus enjoy lunch or dinner with a view of the trains. New fully glazed doors connect the exterior with the interior.

The main train station is one of the architectural landmarks of the central part of Pilsen. The building is constructed in Renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. It was ceremoniously opened in 1907. Unlike most station buildings in the Czech Republic, it stands in the middle of the track area. The station building has been protected as a monument since 2000. The total construction costs amounted to 1,030,000,000 crowns.