The significance of the underground experience: Selection of reference design cases from the underground public transport stations and interchanges of the European Union

Abstract

BackgroundRecent research into the way public transport users appreciate stations and interchanges has highlighted several key aspects. Importantly, the optimization of these facilities should not simply aim to resolve dissatisfiers, but should also focus on addressing satisfiers, through the incorporation of factors such as comfort and experience. ‘Soft requirements,’ which have emerged in architecture and urban design, need to crossover to the urban underground infrastructure (as an element of urban underground space) in order to meet the expectations of public transport users. MethodThis study applies an innovative methodology in the analysis of good practice in urban underground space design, a method more commonly found in cultural studies. Three dimensions in the appreciation of a creative design are considered: views held by the general public; views held by peers (other artists or designers); and views expressed by critics. Using this framework, the article discusses prominent showcases of European underground public transport stations and interchanges, in order to identify design principles that determine a positive user experience of an urban underground space. ResultsA comprehensive overview of good practice with regard to urban underground station design was produced, using reference design cases. The cases included are: Canary Wharf Underground Station; the Georg-Brauchle-Ring Station; Souterrain Tram Tunnel; Triangeln Railway Station; Toledo Metro Station; Fővám Tér Station and Szent Gellért Tér Station (Twin Stations); Chatelet-Les Halles RER Hub; Canary Wharf CrossRail Station; and Birmingham New Street Station. Analysis of these reference design cases (and the good practices involved) allows for the description of ‘satisfying’ design solutions. ConclusionA robust analysis of a well-designed urban underground space can be made based on the opinions of users, peers and critics, through the use of social media, via recognition in prizes and awards and through indexed architectural periodicals. The design principles constituting good practice in underground space design identified in this study are: canopy; open station box; underground morphology and textures; architectural light; intervisibility; art; volume; and proximity.