Minister for Transport Lucien Lux hopes that the selection of a design will bring to an end what he calls the “unnecessary polemic” surrounding the decision to go ahead with an urban tram system for Luxembourg City. “We are determined to realise the project,” he said. “Let there be no doubt that the tram is coming.” With just three months until parliamentary elections, Lux is keen to keep plugging away at the project with all concerned parties. Those parties now include Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands Island Studio, whose winning design was praised by politicians across the board at the unveiling.

The design appeals on many levels. It is, as Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands Island Studio co-founder Alex Lifschutz puts it, “elegant and of the 21st century.” But it also integrates into the existing architecture along the planned route of the tram and, can be adapted to suit different aspects of the city. In this respect Lifschutz and his team had help from Luxembourg bureau Integrated Place, and in particular Georges Zigrand. “It was absolutely vital to have the local input,” says Lifschutz. “There were all sorts of things we misunderstood. We were keen to show that we could tackle many of the problems, but things like bridges are very sensitive.” Indeed, the planned route along avenue de la Liberté requires that the tram traverses the Pont Adolphe, which is in urgent need of repair and strengthening.

Local knowledge

But major engineering problems were not the only obstacles faced by the British design team. “The idea of being able to design smaller shelters that don’t block the view of shops was essential. We needed local knowledge to understand their concerns.” The Lifschutz design for the furniture incorporates several unique elements that can be composed as appropriate depending on the site of the tram stop. Using local material, such as pierre bleue stone, was also important. “We did a lot of research about what was available,” Lifschutz explains. “But the idea of being able to recycle material was also appealing – when the streets are dug up there will be a lot of historical material that can be reclaimed.” Subtle lighting will mark public areas such as the Place de Paris – catenaries with LED and CDM lights will form a sort of canopy over the square to provide a sheltered ambience.

Lifschutz has also placed great store on way-finding and was fortunate to have an expert on hand in the form of Georges Zigrand. “In the end you can build all the architecture and product design you want, but if people don’t use it properly and don’t comprehend it, then you’ve lost a big opportunity.” And the designers have also thought about other road users, keeping everything as level as possible to allow cyclists and pedestrian to be able to walk parallel to and traverse the tram lines. “What you generally find with tram systems is that you create a barrier, which is what we have avoided,” says Lifschutz. “We have kept the design clean and elegant, allowing the city to breathe.”