Vellinge Travel Center

Vellinge Ängar is one of the municipality’s biggest public transport hubs, located directly beside the E6, between Malmö and Trelleborg. Thousands of commuters pass through daily, many in need of a safe and accessible travel center. This is a need that will grow as the area is developed with new homes adjacent to the recently built entry square. Cyclists can now park their bikes under a roof and continue their commute by bus. Meanwhile, those who arrive to the commuter parking lot by electric car now have access to charging stations.

“A particular challenge was to keep the acoustic sound barrier intact, to avoid sound leakage. That’s why the building itself is divided, with a waiting area directly through the sound barrier. The barrier is tightly draped around the building. Together, they form a unit where the building is subordinate to the barrier, at the landscape level.

When Tengbom developed the travel center and the sound barrier, focus was placed on the experience from both the station square and from the road.

A backdrop-like sound barrier

The sound barrier runs directly over the station roof and plays a key role in the travel center. It welcomes travelers inside while blocking noise from the road. Using parametric design, where algorithms guide construction, the team developed a solution with OrganoWood battens. The battens create a vibrant spectrum of hues. Their distance and placement vary in three unique dimensions, allowing sunlight to fall differently depending on the time of day and season. Some sections of the sound barrier are transparent, with glass behind the battens. This design lets light into the square and offers views across the fields. The division into clear sections forms a stylized interpretation of the surrounding landscape.

“Getting to help create something that changes and improves the environment for thousands of people every day is rewarding,” says Torbjörn Håkansson, lead architect for the assignment. “The combination of major traffic flows, accessibility and striking design was an exciting challenge.”

A safe, 200 square-meter station

The station entrance facing the road acts as a beacon, signaling the new neighborhood emerging beyond the barrier. Inside, the waiting area feels open and safe, with no corners to close visitors in.Travelers can take shelter from the wind and rain. They can also use Wi-Fi from the local transport operator, visit the restroom, or enjoy a coffee at the café. Outside, a playground offers a safe and fun space for little ones, making the wait for the bus more enjoyable.

Elegant and natural materials

The exterior is made of slate, a durable and graffiti-proof material. The floor in the waiting area is also made of slate. The colours and signs inside are a nod to the local operator’s graphic profile, with a yellow-orange palette providing contrast next to the natural materials. The ceiling and the interior’s outer walls are covered in natural-colour wood wool tiles, interspersed with lacquered ash sofas. The ceiling fixtures bring nature into the space while providing nice acoustics, with their soft wool foliage.

“The station is a very positive addition to Vellinge,” says Martina Ljung, head of planning and development at Vellinge Municipality. The E6 is very exposed to weather, so people appreciate being able to find shelter.”