One of the most exciting metro stations is the Centro Direzionale station in the business district of the same name, designed by the EMBT office led by Italian architect Benedetta Tagliabue. What makes it so special: While the district, designed by Kenzo Tange in the 1970s, is dominated by reflective high-rise buildings and concrete, the new metro station is built in wood. A 10,000-m²-big, vaulted roof made of glue-laminated timber spans the complex – inspired by classic train stations, but at the same time designed as a walk through a forest. “We wanted to bring nature back to this artificial part of the city,” Tagliabue says.
A piece of nature in the city center
The architecture combines existing concrete and steel structures with new wooden supports, creating an organic topography with multiple levels. This design is intended to revitalize the office district, which is often deserted after work, and make it more attractive to the public.
Art also plays a role: a face from Pompeii will be installed on the ceiling – a reference to Naples’ archaeological heritage. While other metro projects have been delayed due to archaeological finds following excavations, the station in the Centro Direzionale was only delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Once completed, Naples will not only have a new metro station, but also an architectural symbol: a station that blends nature, history, and contemporary design, intended to breathe new life into the office district. With the choice of materials used, Naples wants to set architectural accents while revitalizing the sterile office district. The station is intended to become a new meeting place – a piece of nature in the heart of an artificial urban landscape.
