Rizhskaya Metro Station
Minimalism, light, airiness
About the project
Moscow of 21st century is faced with an urgent transportation problem and the most effective solution for the city is the development of an underground transportation system as the majority of citizens in Moscow use the metro as their main mode of transportation every day. The Moscow government and urban planners have decided to create access to the metro from each Moscow district. A new circle line is the main metro project to be completed by 2020, that will reduce travel time to a minimum and help locals save time. Another important aspect for the Moscow metro is the preservation of «The most beautiful metro in the world».
Significant Role of the Location for the City
In the middle of 18th century Rijskaya Square appeared as a checking point for the travellers from other cities on a way to Moscow center In 1890-1893yy two water towers were erected by architect M.Geppener. Soon they became a landmark. Along with the actual function towers served as welcoming symbols of the city, the first thing that travelers would see upon arriving to Moscow. In 1901 Vindavsky (Rijsky) railway station was built in order to connect Baltic with Moscow. Railway station – gateway to the city, portal through which people arrive and cargo is delivered.
On Map Today
If look on map today we discover that Third Transport Ring as a line divide our location into two parts. Within the ring Prospekt Mira is a broad road along which residential blocks concentrate. On a contrast, after the Ring Rijskaya Square surrounded by big net of railways and industrial buildings. Located just on boarder Rijskaya Square is a connecting point between these significantly different parts of one area. In this way throughout last centuries Rijskaya Square evidently or discreetly had a value of Entrance to the city. We decided to transport this meaning into our design and to look at our station as at “ Welcoming Gateway.” The place where the city center meets the surrounding areas, where the passengers both greet and say farewell to the capital city. We choose the Arch as a symbol of the station which repiedetly appears in different zones.
Concept
We decided to cover the new entrance with a canopy to provide protection from the rain, wind and snow. Likewise, we did not want it to be another architectural element and make our building simply another strong “statement” in surroundings. We have designed the pavilion to be transparent. By doing so the glass wall allows us to show other buildings and Rizhsky Railway Station and Rizhka Plaza. We’ve highlighted the entrance with an arch (a welcoming symbol). The overall impression is very light - we wanted our new building to smoothly blend in with the surroundings.
Main vestibule
The station is underground and therefore devoid of natural light. Our mission was to create comfortable and clear access to both the exit and entrance. The escalator access and the exit we’ve split by using a wall where we have installed arches at an angle that demarcates the different passageways. We add straight lines on the floor that give the feeling of guiding paths, direct the flow of foot traffic to the escalators. The total mood board is relaxing, comfortable and simple. We’ve blended the grey, pink.
Side platform
We’ve decided to best utilize this part as a waiting area for passengers as well as an entrance zone for arriving ones. Those waiting will be able to look at the art-covered wall with a printed pattern of the active views we see from trains – the nature, streets, and people that we see as the train quickly passes by.
Main platform
An arch sequence that smoothly goes from one entrance to the other. By using different colors on the end of platform we’ve shown the passenger where the exit and corridor are located to the Rizhsky Railway Station and Rizhskaya metro station exit. The wall imitates the blurred views of the windows of a train, car, plane in transit. They will be surprised by a different view each few meters. We used common materials, and outlined the arch’s shape with our lighting design and steel. The resulting, calm symmetrical sequences are repeated from entrance to entrance.
Passages to the main platform from the Rizhskaya entrance
We’ve arranged it so as to have a multimedia wall that is imitates a train schedule table, where the hours are changing constantly. This reminds us that on the ground we have Rizhsky Railway Station, and we can easily find the way out. The idea works well as a navigation system. The main colors blend into a white, pink fog with the shadows, the lights and the reflections.
