Architecture

Zaha Hadid Architects' metro station helps travelers find their way

Zaha Hadid Architects' metro station helps travelers find their way
Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's lighting is designed in collaboration with Arup Lighting
Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's lighting is designed in collaboration with Arup Lighting
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Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 is slated for Moscow's Bolshaya Koltsevaya Line (Large Circle Line), which has been used by around 58 million passengers since opening in 2018
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Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 is slated for Moscow's Bolshaya Koltsevaya Line (Large Circle Line), which has been used by around 58 million passengers since opening in 2018
Zaha Hadid Architects' design for Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 won an international architecture competition, though we've no word yet on when it is expected to begin construction
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Zaha Hadid Architects' design for Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 won an international architecture competition, though we've no word yet on when it is expected to begin construction
Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's lighting is designed in collaboration with Arup Lighting
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Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's lighting is designed in collaboration with Arup Lighting
"Providing intuitive navigation throughout, the design incorporates new innovations in lighting and passenger information systems to define the next generation of stations on Moscow's renowned metro system," explains ZHA
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"Providing intuitive navigation throughout, the design incorporates new innovations in lighting and passenger information systems to define the next generation of stations on Moscow's renowned metro system," explains ZHA
A render depicting Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's ticket area
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A render depicting Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's ticket area
Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's layout and lighting is designed to help travelers find their way around the station
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Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's layout and lighting is designed to help travelers find their way around the station
View gallery - 6 images

We've all been there: rushing through an unfamiliar metro station laden with heavy bags and only a few minutes to work out where you're meant to be. It's a stressful experience and one that Zaha Hadid Architects' (ZHA) new Moscow metro aims to address with an intuitive layout and navigation aids.

Moscow's metro stations are world famous, and for good reason. Envisioned as "Palaces of the People" under Stalin's rule, many still impress with their ornate marble and mosaics.

ZHA sensibly doesn't attempt to replicate the grandeur of the Soviet-era stations with its Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2 design, but instead has conceived an understated example of the firm's signature style, with a simple entrance wrapped in glass and a minimalist decor and curving walls inside. The lighting is designed in collaboration with Arup Lighting and is an important part of the project.

Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's layout and lighting is designed to help travelers find their way around the station
Klenoviy Boulevard Station 2's layout and lighting is designed to help travelers find their way around the station

"Providing intuitive navigation throughout, the design incorporates new innovations in lighting and passenger information systems to define the next generation of stations on Moscow’s renowned metro system," explains the firm. "The columns are developed as 'arrows' that direct passengers and also integrate lines of light on the ceiling and the floors to provide way-finding, functional lighting and signify platform edges. The station's lighting has been developed to enrich the environment and orientate travelers as they navigate through its spaces. Platform lighting conditions adjust to inform waiting passengers of a train’s impending arrival, while a dynamic lighting system further enhances passenger orientation throughout the station."

The metro station design won an international architecture competition, though we've no word yet on when it's expected to begin construction. It's slated for Moscow's Bolshaya Koltsevaya Line, which has been used by around 58 million passengers since opening in 2018. The station will also offer easy access to a nearby park.

ZHA has a lot of experience when it comes to designing rail stations and previously created the eye-catching Napoli Afragola in Italy, a pair of metro stations in Norway, and another in Estonia.

Source: ZHA

View gallery - 6 images
3 comments
3 comments
David V
Well I'm a big fan of Zaha Hadid Architecture. I love their style. They always seems to put their mark on their work but still make every project different and exciting. The outside structure is stunning.
So it seems from the pics that they're using different kinds of dotted lines on the floor and ceiling to point out directions ? People will just follow the lines ? Is it that it because it's not too clear how the "intuitous" directions are given for different destinations. I get the red is no and green is yes lights. But most transport maps (London Underground as example) use coloured codes to follow. It is a tried and tested solution so this is an interesting alternative. Hope I can test it one day.
Brian M
"helps travelers find their way"
Looks quite the opposite, just darn confusing to me - How about people with reduced eyesight, especially were lights are difficult to resolve to a clear point etc. (imagine wearing fogged up sun glasses)

As David V says, coloured codes with occasional signs is a lot simpler, more user friendly, tried and tested way.
buzzclick
Not a big fan of ZHA's designs, but this one seems quite agreeable and functional. It gives new meaning to the term "track" lighting.