Le gout français in railway station architecture in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries

Abstract

Although railway technology is similar in all countries where it developed, there are some differences in the technical details and methods of operation. The architecture of railway stations is no different. It is the result of both technical and functional requirements, as well as architectural tradition that determines the form of buildings and even their location. This paper is an attempt to define the characteristic features of French railway station architecture and structure, with the intention of proving that not only were its products easily recognizable, but also pioneering in the field of aesthetics and construction. The subjects of the analysis are: the urban context, the relation of station building with the traished, the way the circulation hall is shown on the facades, the role of iron in the language of architecture and the forms of the girders in structure of the trainshed. On this basis, the following main distinguishing features of French railway stations were identified: axiality in the street system, tendency to unify the building and the trainshed as much as possible, pioneering solutions showing large volumes of interiors in the facades using large glazing, including the form of a semi-rosette, bold exposure of iron in the gable curtains – also in facades, the popularisation of both Polonceau girders – also with latticed rafters, and de Dion’s rigid frames – also as a massive monumental form.