Hauptbahnhof Main Train Station, Berlin Germany

Meinhard von Gerkan designed Berlin's main railway station, opened in 2006, formerly Lehrter Bahnhof under the communist East German government. The redesign of the train line began immediately upon the fall of the Berlin wall and was seen as a significant step for reunification after its hellish post-war period.

The structure allows as much daylight and transparency into the spaces as possible. The 321 metre-long glass Stadtbahn hall crosses the 160 metre-long station building. Two 46 metre-high arched structures span over the Stadtbahn hall, featuring prominently on the exterior form. Careful consideration for quick circulatory connections has developed an enormous and intricate system. The solid concrete columns below are detailed to meet skylights at the roof, enforcing a sense of weightlessness.

Video: digital model
Video: tour around inside
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[images: das_sabrinchen, werkunz1, eliotc, kaffeeeinstein, Secret Pilgrim, senderweb, jorbasa on flickr]

Langen Foundation, Raketenstation Hombroich Neuss Germany

Tadao And designed the Langen Foundation at a former NATO base in Neuss Germany. It houses an art exhibit museum by the Langen Foundation Japanese collection. A reflection pond and entrance through an elegantly curved wall. This procession around the building before entering helps the materials give a sense of lightness and permanence.

Much of the building burrows underground, yet carefully composed strips of windows and skylights allow Tadao's trademark concrete design to gingerly fill the space with light. Nature is often invited inside with large views and connected spaces. The layers of skin carefully control the climate while layering the experience of inside versus outside.

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[images: ajok on flickr]

Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre, Parque das Nacoes Lisbon

The Vasco da Gama Mall in stands across the Gare do Oriente station in Lisbon Portugal. It includes 200 stores, a theater, and a large food court.

The building is part of a large project for Lisbon by Santiago Calatrava. The glass barrel vault reflects the form of the Gare do Oriente, a slightly organic Spanish form. It also expresses the same strictly organized symmetry and opposition of light versus solid. Walkways fly across the center spine, enforcing the multi-layered nature of this entire city area.

Video: inside
Video: fountain in front
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[images: Shadowgate, Rebel with a Nikon :), Leandro's World Tour, AchimH, detengase on flickr]