Canfranc International Station
the historical Canfranc International Station , with 90 years behind him, will become a five star hotel in 2021. But let us not be alarmed, the mythical canfranero , also known as tamagochi, is not in any danger, as a new railway station will be built on the west side.
WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT?
The Zaragoza company Ingennus Urban Consulting, made up of architects, urban planners and consultants, will be in charge of this ambitious project. In accordance with the specifications of the contest, the term to develop it was set at six months, beginning in the month of January, and the works are expected to be completed in 2021.
"Our work as architects focuses on three parts," he explains. Joaquín Magrazó, Project Manager and partner architect of Ingennus. “First: the Integral rehabilitation of the Canfranc International Station for its reconversion into a high standing hotel that will house some 100 rooms”.
Second, the Execution Project of the new railway station. "And third, the rehabilitation of the 'dormitory of French train drivers' to turn it into the new interpretation center for pilgrims”, concludes Magrazó.
Canfranc Station
To meet this challenge, other work teams will also be involved in the urbanization and track yard.
“This is a key historical building both for the history of Aragon and that of Spain and that needed a major reform after a long period of hibernation" says the project manager.
“We use the methodology **BIM (Building Information Modeling)** for the modeling of the project”, he explains. Manuel Mayorga (BIM Manager at Ingennus). “Thanks to this methodology, we can study the context in advance and reproduce the station as it will be after the execution of the works”.
Ingennus Urban Consulting are in charge of tackling this exciting project
“In addition, we are applying energy efficiency criteria to fundamentally control the thermal envelope and guarantee both the airtightness of the building and good thermal and acoustic insulation”, says Mayorga.
Aragonese projects such as the rehabilitation of the Tarin Palace (Zaragoza), that of the old Bank of Aragón (Zaragoza) or the reconversion of the Old Convent of San Agustín into the headquarters of the Maria Moliner Library , among others, bear the seal of Ingennus.
The most relevant? “The Rehabilitation of the Monumental Ensemble Old Monastery of San Juan de la Peña and its conversion into a Hotel and the Interpretation Center of the Kingdom of Aragon and the Monastery”, says Joaquín.
The tourist train El Canfranero crosses the regions of Alto Gállego and Jacetania, ending its journey in Canfranc, at the gates of the neighboring country.
CANFRANC STATION
Joaquín Magrazó tells us what surprised him the most when he visited the Station: scale, place and construction. “The issue of scale is very curious. When walking around you see everything small, and suddenly you find that giant in the middle of that environment.
Several stories draw attention to the building. "In the XIX century It was proposed to promote a central step for Spain that would connect it with the European continent, and therefore, the passage of the railway between France and Spain was projected”, comments Joaquín.
early 20th century Work began on the tunnel in Canfranc (Huesca) to connect both countries, which was not an easy task. “They had to divert the river and channel it, and everything that was removed from the construction of the tunnel served to fill in the unevenness of the existing land under what is now the floor of the current station”, explains Joaquín.
And not only that: "it was also necessary to place large discharge arches more than 10 meters below ground level, as well as large protection walls on the two slopes and planted more than 10 million trees to stop avalanches" , he clarifies.
The Canfranc Station is located at an altitude of 1,194 meters
A FIVE STAR HOTEL WITH THE PYRENEES AS A BACKGROUND
It is not yet known what the hotel chain will be, or the hotel that will be installed in the station. What is known is that it will have 100 rooms Y the reception will be located in the station hall , which will share space with the public passage intended for visitors who travel between the new station of railway and the area of Los Arañones.
Little is known about the style that the hotel will present, although everything indicates that it will continue with the modernist style.
“The building is a **BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest)**, so the façade, the volume and the atrium are protected and cannot be modified. As for the interior, it is necessary to adapt it to the new uses and functions, but this has yet to be determined”, explains Joaquín Magrazo.
Lovers of trains, history, nature, luxury hotels and activating airplane mode: SEE YOU IN CANFRANC.
The new railway station will be located in the western part
Canfranc International Station. revit.