Designing Intercity Transport Building -Al Jubail - Senior Book

Designing Intercity Transport Building -Al
Jubail

A THESIS
Submitted by
Muhib Al Abed / U00026018
For the Degree of
Bachelor of Arts
In Interior Architecture and Design

Interior Architecture and Design Program
College of Fine Arts and Design
University of Sharjah

2017-2018

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Goals ............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Site Map ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Justifications.................................................................................................................................................. 4
Case Studies .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Kayseri West City Bus Terminal / Bahadir Kul Architects© KetKolektif ................................................... 5
Intercity Bus Terminal / José Luis Rodríguez Gil ....................................................................................... 7
Christchurch Bus Interchange / Architects ............................................................................................... 9
Nevsehir Bus Terminal / Bahadir Kul ...................................................................................................... 12
Narrowminded + BOM Propose New Central Bus Station for Marrakech ............................................. 14
Research Work............................................................................................................................................ 15
INTERVIEWING........................................................................................................................................ 15
RESULTS .................................................................................................................................................. 16
SURVEY’S CHARTS ................................................................................................................................... 18

EMPLOYEES SURVEYS.......................................................................................................................... 18
USERS SURVEYS................................................................................................................................... 19
Concept ....................................................................................................................................................... 19
Existing Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Space Analysis Table ................................................................................................................................... 21
Matrix.......................................................................................................................................................... 22
Bubble Diagram........................................................................................................................................... 23
Block Diagram ............................................................................................................................................. 24
Relationship Diagram.................................................................................................................................. 25
Final Re-Design Plan.................................................................................................................................... 26
Selected Areas............................................................................................................................................. 27
Departure Zone........................................................................................................................................... 28
Administration Office Zone......................................................................................................................... 34
Food Court (Restaurants and Café)............................................................................................................. 41
Final posters................................................................................................................................................ 47

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Acknowledgments

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Introduction

Redesigning one of the main bus stations in UAE, which is located in Sharjah that brings a better
and an interesting experience for the users. The bus station will be able to receive more users and make
their way to transportation much easier.

Goals

• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED).
• Add a natural environment that will change the visitors' mindset from the old environment.
• Developing transportation processes in Sharjah to make it easier and comfortable.

Site Map

For an efficient user experience, it is important for
a bus station to have a reachable location for passengers.
Al Jubail Bus Station is known for its unique and good
connection between different main roads and bus
terminals.

Justifications

Increase in Sharjah's population will directly result in using more cars thus an increase in traffic.
This reality reflects the importance of public transportation and indicates the attention needed by the
specialized authorities. A full improvement on the specified bus station is necessary to encourage the
use of public transportation among car drivers, allowing all bus routes to originate from one inclusive,
coordinated and renovated terminal.

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Case Studies

Kayseri West City Bus Terminal / Bahadir Kul Architects© KetKolektif

• Architects: Bahadir Kul Architects
• Location: Kayseri/Kayseri Province, Turkey
• Area: 1500.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2006
• Photographs: KetKolektif

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From the architect. A western district and villages terminal was designed in the west of the city,
Kayseri. The idea of creating a district terminal came up due to the fact that the transportation access
difficulty of the existing travel agencies in the area. Besides, the traffic density caused by the
transportation vehicles in the city center is another reason.

The structure is designed to be located on the local road which is 8 km away from the city center
where the new intercity bus terminal also exists. The convenience of the linkage to the new local road,
the connection with the intercity bus terminal and the existence of the rail system near the city were the
reasons of choose for this area.

The premier design criteria of the building are creating different foyers under the same
structure to the passengers. For this reason, transparent foyers are lodged on a massive blockwall,
surface from two different directions in a ‘Z’ form. The perception of the platforms is improved by the
transparent foyers.

The structure which is designed on an area of 1,200 m2 has a construction area of 10,000. the
county foyer and the platforms which place on the northern part face the previous local terminal and
the village terminal. The transition points are provided between the county and village terminals. The
ticket offices are designed to be positioned independently from each other.

The wet areas and the technical buildings are configured at the same spot for both terminals.
The terminal management office, agency offices, security offices, kiosks, prayer rooms, restrooms and
technical offices are within the passenger foyer of the county terminal.

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Intercity Bus Terminal / José Luis Rodríguez Gil

• Architects: José Luis Rodríguez Gil, Jorge G. Molinero Sánchez
• Location: Porcuna, Jaén, España
• Technical Architect: Enrique A. Gómez Mata
• Project Area: 745.0 m2
• Project Year: 2009
• Photography: Fernando Alda
• Collaborators: Luis García Cuadri, Álvaro Torres Márquez
• Structures: SYTEC SL
• Facilities: Ingeniería Vargas
• Client: EPSA

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We propose a complete separation between pedestrian and bus circulation, prioritizing the
pedestrian circulation and organizing the terminal so that the building functions as a filter between
them.

We try to generate a unique environment for the user: a platform with the relationship and
intimate spaces enveloped in an atmosphere almost exclusively defined by the particular quality of light
passing through the object.

The terminal is proposed as an autonomous and luminous object: a large, light roof,
dematerialized, which folds to the ground, under which both waiting areas associated with gardens as
well as the terminal building are located, treated with the same cladding, forming another fold.

We seek a terminal that is different from the usually dark stations, as it lets light pass through:
translucent polycarbonate roof plates, and galvanized perforated steel sheet cladding on all sides.

Along with these general characteristics of the project, we highlight other characteristics that
seek to reduce the impact of the project in its environment, looking to build a proposal with a simple,
functional, spacious image, economical and ecological:

• Light building (metal structure), 100% recyclable, and easily adaptable to new needs, in designing
the interior elements as furniture.

• Search for "zero maintenance", using materials and exposed construction elements with no added
finishes, with a galvanized, perforated sheet cladding that has several functions: provide
spaciousness to the proposal (allows a "veiling" of the different environments designed, integrating
and separating them simultaneously), security, solar protection, and economy in construction,
maintenance and future recycling.

• Elimination of harmful elements in construction, such as PVC (polypropylene sanitation, synthetic
rubber roof drainage, and cables without halogens), and synthetic paints and varnishes without
VOCs.

• Reuse of stormwater for garden irrigation, with a concrete cistern to store water collected from the
roof and other drains in the garden areas, which feature native deciduous species, used as solar
protection in summer in the most exposed areas (south and west).

• The asphalt at the access area contains rubber from recycled tires.

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Christchurch Bus Interchange / Architects

• Architects: Architectus
• Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
• Area: 3500.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2015
• Photographs: Simon Devitt
• Structure and Services: Aurecon
• Project Management: Coffey
• Acoustics: Marshall Day
• Contractor: Southbase Thiess JV

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From the architect. Transport interchanges have historically played a major role in the civic and
economic vitality of a city. Recognizing the importance of the new bus interchange as a catalyst for the
revitalization of the central city the interchange was one of the first anchor projects to be completed
after the 2011 earthquake. As a vital part of the new civic infrastructure it needed to not only provide a
highly efficient public transport hub but also help define the rebuilt city’s identity and public space
experience.

Architects won the commission in a competitive process and led the development of a compact
inner-city transport hub that put good urban design and pedestrian experience first whilst incorporating
the operational requirements of over 1000 bus movements a day. The hub integrates buses, intercity
coaches, taxis and cyclist as well as anticipating opportunities for future light rail.

A ‘L-shaped’ concourse was devised fronting both Colombo and Lichfield Streets with 16 bus
bays arranged in a crescent shape on the interior of the site. To minimize the footprint of the bus apron
a ‘reversing bus bay’ design was adopted. Extensive field testing with drivers and operators as well as
state of the art bus management systems convinced all stakeholders that this unconventional approach
was best for the project, enabling a concealed and secure bus apron as well as a contiguous and legible
concourse that engages with the city.

The concourse is conceived as an extension of the city’s public realm. Materials used are the
same inside and out and seating has been developed in the language of street furniture – detailed in
concrete and solid timber.

Along Colombo Street four timber pods sit underneath the main roof. They deliver passenger
amenity including cycle and luggage storage as well as retail and food outlets – all of which open to both
the street and the concourse. Glazing provides a seamless transition between the two and allows views
from the public realm through the concourse to the bus apron beyond.

The experience of the indoor environment is enhanced by providing a fully naturally ventilated
environment – a challenge for an indoor space surrounded by diesel buses and two main road frontages.
Bus bays with automatic sliding doors prevent passengers from straying onto the apron and in
combination with localised air curtains prevent the ingress of toxic fumes. A combination of roof
mounted wind catchers modelled on ancient Persian wind-towers and high level louvers on the street

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frontages draw outdoor air into the concourse. The passenger hall is tempered by hydronic underfloor
heating powered through a groundwater heat pump system.

Form and materiality are influenced by Christchurch’s largely lost neo gothic architecture and
remaining nearby brick buildings. This is evident in the folded roof geometry with its gables and large
skylights which bring daylight into the space and create an internal volume inspired by the great transit
halls of the past. A cultural narrative developed by local Rū nangaNgāiTūāhuriri based on themes of
early Maori navigation is integrated into the building fabric.

The holistic design approach has resulted in a civic facility that integrates the local urban and
cultural context with customer comfort and the requirements of bus operators to
launch Christchurch into a new era of modern public transportation.

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Nevsehir Bus Terminal / Bahadir Kul

• Architects: Bahadir Kul
• Location: Nevşehir, Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
• Client: Municipality of Nevşehir
• Area: 8000.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2010
• Photographs: KetKolektif

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From the architect. The intercity bus terminal was designed on the way to Aksaray, 5km away
from the city center, due to the existing bus terminal’s incompatibility to handle the needs. The
convenience of the linkage to the local road of Nigde and to the city center were the reasons why this
area is preferred.

The natural stone texture, indentation, natural fillings and gaps, amorphous and asylum, and
sheltering urge compose the originating point of the structure in the mysterious topography of
Cappadoccia. The protection and urge of shelter need of the passengers under the rainy weather
conditions during the waiting hours are provided by the amorphous gaps within the fairy chimneys.

The characteristics of the amorphous gaps on the shell structure were improved by clinging a
rectangular form. A second facade was configured and pulled 5m back on the rectangular form which is
composed of the outer shell structure that faces the passenger platforms and bus platforms. A semi
open waiting area was created in order to protect the passengers under bad weather conditions. The
visual relationship of the structure between the passenger lobby, waiting halls and the cafes was
reinforced by the transparent surfaces that face the area.

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Narrowminded + BOM Propose New Central Bus Station for Marrakech

• Architects: Narrowminded Architects, BOM Architects
• Location: Marrakesh, Morocco
• DesignTeam: Younes Diouri, TimothéeBoitouzet (Narrowminded); Khalid Ait El Madani (BOM)
• Area: 10000.0 sqm
• Project Year: 2014

As part of an international competition, Narrowminded Architects teamed up with BOM
Architects to identify and solve central functional deficiencies in a proposal for a new Marrakech Central
Bus Terminal. Together, the architects found that obsolete infrastructure, unclear orientation,
hazardous traffic density, rampant pollution, and confusing overlaps between vehicular and pedestrian
flow were all contributing factors in the inefficiencies and hindered the advancement of the terminal.
Thus, with the intent to create a timeless environment that could flourish in Marrakech's future
morphological developments, the proposal adopted a strategy to thoroughly address each individual
issue.

The design prioritizes efficiency and order, placing focus on the following: independence of all
transportation flows, spatial continuity and interdependence of all buildings, programmatic

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fragmentation to reduce the equipment’s overall scale, and creation of a vibrant, green pedestrian path
linking the multiple infrastructural compounds.

The elongated is site is composed of three terminals, a volumetric division that places
importance on the human scale and provides, through staggering, an effective method of occupying and
activating the entirety of the site. Harkening to Morocco's construction heritage, the built volumes use
rough concrete and red-tinted roofs, exuding a timeless yet contemporary visual link to the aesthetics of
the city.

Research Work

Interview with Sharjah Road & Transport Authority:

• Provide a modern design for the bus station, not just to offer an aesthetic feeling of the bus station,
but also to meet future expectations.

• Improve the current facilities and make use of technology for more efficiency and excellence.
• Provide new security systems in the bus station for a safe and secure environment.

INTERVIEWING

• What is the main part of the bus station you think that needs more attention? Why?
Some facilities need some attention, specially the toilets. As having an average daily range of

17,000 to 20,000 passengers, we have demand on using the toilets, while the current toilets are not
meeting the demand of usage nor they are suitable for the passengers. So, I think that we need to
have an additional number of toilets that meet the demand even if they were caravans such as the
ones available now. On the other hand, we need to have some technological methods applied in the
bus station, such as Electronic Screens and electronic tickets.

• Do you think using new technology in the bus station will be easy for the users?
New technologies such as electronic screens will be helpful in guiding passengers to their

destinations, where the buses are located, as well as the station’s facilities (masjid, cafeteria, toilets,
etc.) instead of asking employees at information desks, security guards, and staff. The electronic
tickets, on the other hand, can be introduced as pre-paid cards, where it will make it easier for
passengers to top-up their card online and use it whenever they want. The United Arab Emirates is
looking forward to have a fully smart governmental service in order to limit the paper use. So, I think

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that we have to apply new technologies that can be reached using smartphone applications,
websites, etc.

• What do you think of having a Traditional Design or Modern Design for the interior? Why?
In my opinion, although we are a governmental authority, why don’t we have a design different

than the traditional style? In some countries the bus stations are presented as museums, so I prefer
having a modern design. I think that it would be nicer if also the interior design was related to the
concept of transportation, such as having drawn wallpapers with buses or even using some
sculptures in the station. We have to as well make sure that the design plan of the station is showing
modernity and having the ability to future expands and improvements to meet the usage
expectations.
• What is your future vision for Jubail Bus Station?

The authorities’ management does have a vision for improving the bus station by replacing the
caravans with new bigger ones, expanding the offices, improving the facilities, and organizing the
location plan. The vision also includes increasing the taxi cars lot space in the station, and even fixing
new air-conditioned bus stops on the routes. Yet, all these visions rely on future plans, budgets, and
approvals from different authorities.
• Is there any new technology/System you find useful to be applied/ used in the bus station?

We are currently working on the electronic tickets system that I talked about previously in order
to make it a paper-less system. We also have a system called “Tersal” used in the headquarter but is
still not used in the bus station administration, which aims to reduce the paper use by sending
letters and messages electronically rather than printed copies. I prefer having some security systems
in the offices for employees’ privacy and security, also to provide a clinic and a police office to
maintain a safe environment for the passengers. I also prefer having workshops and seminars on
first aid, firefighting, and security procedures for staff and employees.

RESULTS

• Increase the number of toilets to meet the flow of passengers.
• Install electronic screens to improve users’ experiences by offering efficient alternatives for getting

information.
• Replace the old traditional ticket system with one that relies on electronic ticketing via pre-paid

cards.

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• Offer a modern design for the bus station, not just to offer an aesthetic feeling of the bus station,
but also to meet future expectations.

• Improve the current facilities and make use of technology for more efficiency and excellence.
• Provide new security systems in the bus station for a safe and secure environment.

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SURVEY’S CHARTS DOYOU USE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES SURVEYS TRANSPORTATION TO GO TO

WHAT CITY DOYOU YOUR WORK?
CURRENTLY LIVE IN?
Sometimes
Ajman 15% Yes
18% 23%

Sharjah No
82% 62%

DOYOU LIKE TO BE IN A DO YOU PREFER CLOSED OR
SHARED OFFICE? OPEN SPACE OFFICE?

No No
23% 25%

Yes Yes
77% 75%

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WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE A DO YOU WISH TO HAVE A PLACE
GENDER SEPARATED WORKPLACE? TO REST AND RELAX?

Yes No
31% 15%

No
69%

Yes
85%

USERS SURVEYS

GENDER AGE

Female (35-44)
17% 8%

(18-24)
34%

Male (25-34)
83% 58%

Concept

Around the sand dunes, a convoy of camels used to carry passengers and goods between
villages and towns. Sand dunes with its heights and curvy shapes were the major scene you can see
through the trip. From Sharjah to Al Dhaid, from Al Dhaid to Al Ain, travelers were taking days to reach
to their destination. Nowadays, transportation became easier and faster.

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Existing Plan

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Space Analysis Table

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Matrix

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Bubble Diagram

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Block Diagram

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Relationship Diagram

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Final Re-Design Plan

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Selected Areas

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Departure Zone

Inspirational Images

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Floor Plan
Reflected Ceiling Plan

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Sections
Selected Materials

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Detailed Drawing

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Renders

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Administration Office Zone

Inspirational Images

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Floor Plan
Reflected Ceiling Plan

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Sections
Selected Materials

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Detailed Drawing

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Renders

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Food Court (Restaurants and Café)

Inspirational Images

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Floor Plan
Reflected Ceiling Plan

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Sections
Selected Materials

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Detailed Drawing:

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Renders

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Final posters

Introduction Poster

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Departure Poster

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Administration Office Poster

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Food Court (Restaurants and Café) Poster

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