At many public transport stations, the waiting areas are uninviting and the platforms long, wet, and windy. A sense of personal security is often also lacking. By contrast, the city of Rapperswil-Jona has succeeded in turning its combined rail and bus station into a visual masterpiece despite facing a challenging task in a limited space. Today the bus station has an entirely new, overlapping glass roof for the bus and train boarding platforms. The overhead roof is made of laminated safety glass, which ensures protection from the elements as well as providing shade and other welcome advantages thanks to the Sefar fabric membrane.
The east roof has 75 membrane panels covering 75 m x 19 m, and the west roof has 36 membrane panels with a span of 70 m x 7 m.
Low-maintenance, light-technical SEFAR® Architecture EL-55-T0 Fabric frequently offers weather protection, but here in conjunction with a glass skin, it provides a host of other benefits: fire safety, protection from intense sunlight, and aesthetic qualities. Many architects and designers appreciate the optimal light transmission values, combined with the light scattering properties of the textile surface, its color fastness, and permanent UV resistance.
