Puerta Umbría: A Shimmering New High Speed Rail Station For Huelva, Spain

Huelva, a coastal city in southern Spain, will soon have a new high speed <a href="http://inhabitat.com/spiraling-superfuturistic-newport-station-in-wales-connects-two-sides-of-the-city/" target="_blank">rail station</a> to bring travelers to and from Madrid. A straightforward design proposed by Madrid-based <a href="http://www.rafaeldelahoz.com/" target="_blank">Rafael de La-Hoz</a> recently was awarded first prize in a competition to design the new station. Puerta Umbría is a grand gate and open door for travelers that relies on a large shading roof and sea breezes to keep the space cool.

Working from a blank slate, Rafael de La-Hoz designed the rail station free of old prejudices.

The design is based on an elementary architectural gesture - a plane, a ceiling, a board, while shying away from " arrogant arches with extravagant curves".

The simple plane or flat roof is designed for receiving, protecting and giving shade to travelers.

A simple linear station is proposed and one that has one entrance and exit for the high speed trains and another for the people.

The open door to the station is both welcoming and an expression of success.

The station will accommodate 5 tracks and features parking on one side and a public green space on the other sides.

One entrance and exit simplifies the traveler experience.

A perforated roof covering transforms the sunlight into "half-light" making the station below a shady place.

Oriented to the east and west, the sun's path travels in parallel to the station maximizing the shade.

Meanwhile southwest winds from the ocean bring in cross ventilation ensuring that the interior has fresh and cool air even in the hottest part of the year.