URBAN WAVE Metro Station 20

The design of an expanded fluid surface suggests a vital connection of the metro station with the public space above it. The ground, treated like an urban wave, gives the pulse of the social activities taking place on the two main squares located in front of the two principal entrances of the subway. This dynamic architectural gesture aspires to generate multiple spatial experiences, a chance for alternative living of the open space.
The program of the project is hosted on the three modules and the three mayor ‘plazas’ that are created between them. The first module stands in a typical horizontal position containing a closed interior space for social meetings, café and relaxation. It has the big elevation transparent with glass, facing towards the city. The second one stands in a vertical position and functions as a symbolic tower that shows ‘presence’ of the bike base and the internet signal. It is divided in two floors and offers spaces for small groups of people to use their laptops and the wi-fi connection. This module has a big transparent façade facing the park, and another one used as a climbing wall. The third one is placed in inclination and functions as a big staircase that provides accessibility to the second floor of the module two and the roof of module one. It is also facing to the park and it would provide the capacity to operate also as a small amphitheater for collective gatherings or performances. Underneath this module there is a shaded parking for bicycles. In the middle of the project is created a covered triangular space which provides the facilities and tools to repair bicycles. One of the three ‘plazas’ created hosts the electrical bicycles, and the rest two ones would contain trees and vegetation.
The methodology we handle the urban scale is thus reconsidering the importance of the public space, introducing a sustainable architectural practice that promotes and elevates it. In this way, the metro station and its public space become the context and the base point for the redesign of the surrounding urban area.
The metro station consists of the platform level and the one above it, which is designed in such a way so it can host also major artistic activities. The daylight penetrates in both two underground levels through the wide skylight placed in the centre of the structure. The special grid blinds that cover the skylight’s and gate’s surfaces create an interesting game of light and shade inside the whole internal space. Full accessibility into the station is given by stairs, ramps and elevators.
The program of the proposal covers all the required parameters of the metro station and consists also of a number of commercial and cultural functions which promote the collectivity of the different scopes in the public area. A café on the one square and a restaurant on the other one, small expositional pavilions and bus stations, benches and places to rest all around the axis of the site, as well as a linear green park with various trees and vegetation on the vertical axis. All the functions are connected with a network of paths which celebrate creativity by drawing simple curved lines.
The main design of the park has adopted the free continuity of the architecture proposed in an attempt to generate a feeling of movement. More specifically the park is derived from a set of moving ground forms which shape hills symbolizing the dynamic character of a space which penetrate into a growing city. The paths between the small hills navigate the pedestrians around the wealthy vegetation, the trees provide shade and cooling in the summer, while during the spring the variety of colors produced create an ideal place for walk and rest.
Prefabricated concrete, steel structural elements and semi-transparent materials are emerged to provide an easy and economical to construct architectural solution. The gate’s stainless steel structure is covered by aluminum panels and laminated curved glass. The public space’s pavement is of white interlocking tiles. The small buildings around (pavilions, café, restaurant etc) follow the continuity of the wavy ground floor, using steel structure and glass.