A transport hub in the center of Palma de Mallorca appeared back in 2007: it united the underground railway station with a bus station. The entrance to it was laconic: escalators simply led down from Plaza de España. Over time, this solution created many problems: rains flooded and even flooded underground spaces and spoiled escalators, nothing protected passengers from the sun and precipitation. In addition, the inconspicuous entrance to the TPU was not easy to find: it is located in the gap between the two buildings.
In the outgoing year, according to the project of the bureau of João Michel Segui, a more intelligible and functional design appeared at the entrance. First of all, it received a steel support ceiling with built-in lighting and drainage systems. The ground-level fencing has become transparent so as not to obstruct the square and the adjacent park.
In order to harmonize the new structure with the historical surroundings, the architects commissioned hand-made ceramic elements, of which the patterned facades were composed. 9000 of these parts, measuring 12x24x12 cm, let in enough sunlight during the day, and are illuminated at night. The openings in the openwork surface are specially designed so that pigeons cannot nest there.
The new ceiling immediately made the entrance of the TPU more noticeable, but in addition, a high information stele made of white composite panels draws attention to it. Ceramic blocks are also built into it at the level of the overlap of the entrance, and the height of the ceilings is tied to the level of the eaves of neighboring buildings.
