Doors for exceptional architecture: bespoke curved sliding doors at the Gare de Mons, Belgium
The railway station in Mons, Belgium, serves as a major hub on the Walloon rail network, and is also world-famous for its cathedral-like architecture. To complement the curved architecture, GEZE created bespoke curved sliding doors – at the same time enhancing passenger security.
Customised door solutions for Gare de Mons station
The Gare de Mons in Mons (Bergen), Belgium, is a railway station and transport hub that brings together various modes of transport in one central location: regional and international rail services, buses, taxis, bicycles and cars all converge here. The station also connects two parts of the city: the historic centre in the south and the newer districts in the north.
The station building, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is conceived as a piece of public infrastructure, an urban hub and a place for people to spend time. As well as platforms and transport areas, the project includes, amongst other things, retail spaces, offices, pedestrian areas and landscaped outdoor spaces. The station began operating on 18 December 2024; the official opening ceremony was held on 31 January 2025. As the operator of the station, the National Society of Belgian Railways (SNCB-NMBS) commissioned GEZE to design and customise sliding door systems tailored to the specific requirements of the entrances and exits.
Requirements for doors in an architecturally sophisticated railway station
The automatic door systems had to be individually adapted to the curved arches. © GEZE Benelux
The precise, flush fit posed significant challenges in terms of planning and assembly. © GEZE Benelux B.V.
The particular challenge with this project is that almost every component follows organic, curved lines – from the undulating ribs of the roof structure to the sweeping arches inside – meaning that standard doors will not fit. Consequently, the automatic door systems also had to be integrated precisely into the design and the existing building structure. The door requirements can be summarised as follows:
- The door solutions needed to follow the architectural curves of the building and blend in visually with the overall design. This requires the door segments to be adjusted with millimetre precision to ensure that the automatic door systems operate reliably.
- The linear sliding doors also needed to be usable as an emergency exit. In this context, the high volume of passenger traffic at this busy station also needed be taken into account.
- The door systems needed to be integrated into the existing building management system provided by SNCB-NMBS.
- Automatic door systems are usually assembled within their own self-supporting structure. At Gare de Mons, however, the door systems had to be integrated into the existing structure.
- The floor connection also posed significant challenges in terms of planning and assembly: the stainless steel floor rails had to be fitted in such a way that the natural stone floor could then be laid to fit perfectly and sit flush against the rails. This required step-by-step coordination between the assembly team, the floor construction team and the construction partners involved.
The solution: Customised curved sliding doors from GEZE
A total of 17 automatic, curved and bespoke Slimdrive SC FR sliding door systems were installed with the GC 363 sensor. © GEZE Benelux B.V.
Standardised door systems were not an option. Instead, a customised solution was needed. As a result, a total of 17 automatic, curved and bespoke Slimdrive SC FR door systems, fitted with GC 363 sensors, were installed at the station. The drive units were custom-made for this project and adapted to the architectural curves with millimetre precision. Thanks to the low drive height of around 7 cm, the entire drive system could be integrated into the building structure. This made it possible to combine the technical functionality of the automatic door systems with the station’s design requirements.
The curved door systems are not just a design statement: they also help to manage large flows of passengers during day-to-day station operations. Compared with linear sliding doors, Slimdrive solutions allow for a wider passage width, as the full width of the door is not required to the side of the opening.
Linear sliding doors as emergency exits: Integration into the building automation system
The door systems had to be integrated into the building management system developed in-house by SNCB-NMBS in order to fulfil their safety-critical function as emergency exits. Building automation was therefore a key part of the project coordination. In addition to mechanical and structural integration, it was also important to take into account the interface between the door technology and the building management system in such a way that the systems could be integrated into operations at a later stage.
Curved shapes also characterise the exterior of Mons railway station
Curved shapes characterise the architecture of the station designed by star architect Santiago Calatrava. © GEZE Benelux B.V.
Functional and secure: Slimdrive SC FR curved sliding door with GC 363 sensor
Zoom – The technology used promises functionality and security. © GEZE Benelux B..V.
Entrances and exits at Gare de Mons have been automated using the Slimdrive system.
Glazed automatic doors let plenty of light into the station building. © GEZE Benelux B.V.
A perfect fit: the Slimdrive SC FR sliding door system at Gare de Mons
Extraordinary architecture calls for customised door systems. © GEZE Benelux B.V.
Customised curved sliding doors at Gare de Mons
The curved sliding doors echo the shapes of the architectural arches. © GEZE Benelux
Planning and implementation by GEZE
As an experienced company in the field of transport technology, GEZE was involved in planning, technical coordination, project management and implementation. This included developing bespoke solutions, coordinating integration with the building management system, and overseeing the installation of the stainless-steel floor rails in conjunction with the natural stone flooring. The 17 linear sliding door units were assembled by the GEZE Benelux assembly team. In addition, technical support, product-specific application training and end-user training were provided for the personnel responsible on site. The scope of work therefore included not only the supply and installation of the automatic door systems, but also project-specific technical adaptation, clarification of interfaces and support for ongoing operation.
The result: Tailor-made door systems for exceptional architecture
As an experienced partner for automatic door systems in sophisticated architectural projects, we develop solutions that integrate seamlessly into complex building structures – technically reliable, safe to operate and tailored to existing building automation systems. We provide support at every stage of the project – from planning through to implementation and ongoing operations.
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