UNStudio, b720 Arquitectos, and engineering firm Esteyco have been selected to lead the comprehensive renovation of Madrid’s Chamartin Clara Campoamor station and its surrounding urban area. Selected from numerous proposals by leading global construction firms, the winning design stands out for its efficiency, sustainability, and inclusivity. As Europe’s largest urban renovation project, this railway hub will expand by 2.3 million square meters, setting a new international standard for the Spanish capital.
The redesigned Madrid Chamartin station will serve as an “open window,” welcoming passengers and citizens alike, while extending to new parks on both sides of the complex. This project is described as an “open ecosystem,” featuring a permeable facade above a stepped urban public terrace, alongside a curtain wall partially concealed by a historic brick dome dating back to 1975. Restoring the roof is a key aspect of the design, transforming the station into a landmark on the city’s northern edge. Office and flexible administrative spaces will be housed in three towers, allowing for independent management of the historic elements.
Two versatile and adaptable terminal stations will define the railway’s functionality and open opportunities for future expansion. The central hall will support long-distance direct services, independent of regional routes, effectively doubling the capacity for high-speed trains and passenger flow. Additionally, a new track will connect directly to Barajas International Airport, while a series of city platforms will facilitate seamless transfers between different transport modes, including taxis, subways, and slow transit options such as pedestrians, bicycles, and electric vehicles.
“Our primary goal is to preserve and enhance the existing station complex while revitalizing its surrounding environment through a carefully balanced integration of fast and slow transportation options,” says UNStudio’s Chief Architect Ben van Berkel. “We aim to design a highly sustainable, future-oriented city center that centralizes and energizes work, living, leisure, and learning spaces.”
The project’s budget is set at 29 million euros and will be executed in phases to accommodate high passenger traffic and railway safety regulations. The judging panel highlighted feasibility, efficiency, and practicality as the core strengths of the selected plan, followed by its functionality across railway, commercial, and tertiary sectors. Key considerations also include accessibility integration, urban connectivity, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity. Other shortlisted competitors included renowned firms such as AECOM, BIG, Foster+Partners, Estudio Herreros, OMA, Zaha Hadid Architects, Grimshaw, RSHP, and Souto de Moura.
UNStudio, a Dutch firm, recently designed a tower in Germany aimed at becoming one of the country’s most sustainable office buildings. They are also collaborating with Groß & Partner on the FOUR project currently under construction in Frankfurt, one of Europe’s most densely populated city center developments. Meanwhile, b720 Arquitectos, based in Spain, is actively renovating Madrid’s Azca financial district. This project, in partnership with Diller Scofidio + Renfro and GB+P, focuses on urban, economic, and social revitalization, delivering urgently needed public spaces in central Madrid and offering a diverse range of programs to welcome all city residents and visitors.
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