HALO VIGO: THE FUTURISTIC URBAN GATEWAY REDEFINING VERTICAL MOBILITY IN SPAIN

In the heart of Vigo, the HALO project emerges as far more than a transport structure. Conceived by AM2 Arquitectos in collaboration with Arenas y Asociados and NOARQ, this striking architectural intervention transforms the relationship between infrastructure, public space, and urban identity. Suspended above the city’s fragmented topography, HALO introduces a new way of experiencing movement through architecture while establishing itself as one of the most ambitious urban mobility projects in contemporary Spain.

Designed to reconnect Vigo’s intermodal station with the lower areas of the city, the project responds to a long-standing urban divide created by steep elevation changes and large transport infrastructures. Rising approximately 50 meters above ground level, HALO dramatically reshapes the city skyline through a monumental circular skybridge measuring nearly 86 meters in diameter. The elevated route extends across roughly 190 meters, creating a continuous panoramic promenade that allows pedestrians to move above the urban landscape rather than through it.

At the core of the experience are two high-speed panoramic elevators capable of overcoming the city’s vertical difference in approximately 30 seconds. Rather than functioning as simple transit devices, these elevators become part of an immersive architectural sequence where movement, light, and perspective continuously interact. The project transforms everyday circulation into an urban experience that combines mobility, observation, and public space within a single architectural gesture.

The visual identity of HALO is defined by its fluid geometry, lightweight steel structure, and transparent envelope, all of which contribute to its futuristic character. The project balances engineering efficiency with sculptural expression, allowing the infrastructure to appear simultaneously monumental and visually light. During the day, the structure reflects the Atlantic atmosphere of Vigo, while at night it becomes an illuminated landmark visible across multiple districts of the city.

Beyond its technical performance, HALO represents a new model for urban regeneration and pedestrian mobility in Europe. The project reimagines infrastructure as a civic destination by integrating public viewpoints, elevated gathering areas, and experiential pathways into a transportation system. This approach reinforces current trends in sustainable urbanism, where walkability, accessibility, and architectural identity are increasingly interconnected.

By merging advanced structural engineering, vertical mobility, and iconic contemporary design, HALO Vigo demonstrates how infrastructure can become both functional and symbolic. The project not only reconnects fragmented parts of the city but also creates a globally recognizable image for Vigo, positioning the Galician city as a reference point for innovative urban transformation and future-oriented architectural design.

technical sheet

project name: halo vigo
location: vigo, galicia, spain
project type: urban mobility infrastructure / pedestrian skybridge / panoramic elevator
architects: am2 arquitectos - am2arquitectos.com
engineering: arenas y asociados
collaborating architect: noarq

function: pedestrian connection between vigo intermodal station and lower city districts
height: approximately 50 meters
circular skybridge diameter: approximately 86 meters
elevated pathway length: approximately 190 meters
vertical transport system: two high-speed panoramic elevators
structure type: steel and reinforced concrete structure
main materials: steel, glass, aluminum cladding, illuminated panels
sustainability strategy: energy-efficient systems and renewable energy integration
visual identity: illuminated ring-shaped architectural landmark