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MAD Architects unveils sunken train station in Jiaxing, China
crazy architect jiaxing railway station unveiled (see previous designboom coverage here), the company’s first Traffic Orientation Infrastructure renovation and expansion projects.Different from the traditional pursuit of monumental transportation buildings ChinaDuring this time, the architects built an underground hub to replace the dysfunctional train station that stood on the site between 1995 and 2019. The underwater station is presented as a discreet structure that highlights the historic station while integrating an extensive park with verdant spaces conceived as an oasis in the densely populated area of the city.
Lead architect Ma Yansong prioritized the project’s human-centered and efficient design philosophy, in stark contrast to China’s majestic and secluded transportation infrastructure that is typically bordered by wide arterial roads, viaducts and vacant plazas. “They’re like islands that no one wants to go to unless they have to take a train,” he told designboom. “People shouldn’t get lost in a wide space and become disoriented.” MAD’s design revolutionizes the function of the transportation structure, moving much of it underground, challenging traditional concepts and introducing the concept of a “train station in the forest.” To delve deeper into this new type, its design philosophy, and the challenges encountered in its implementation, Designboom talks with Ma Yansong he himself. Read the full interview below.
Overhead view of Jiaxing Railway Station | Photography: AC
Exclusive interview with Ma Yansong
designboom (DB): What is the design concept of Jiaxing Railway Station?
Ma Yansong (MY): It’s more than just a train station; it’s part of urban renewal. That area is the heart of the city, but no one wants to go there because the environment is so bad. The only reason people go there is to take the train. However, I think a train station is more than just its function. It had to rebuild the entire area. It is important to make this train station an attractive urban space that people will enjoy whether they take the train or not. Our designs have a greener feel. We see more urban space in this project. There are transportation functions, but we also have commercial functions; we have offices and parks. In addition, we retained the traditional building, the old train station from 100 years ago, and transformed it into a small museum, so we also added cultural elements to the transformation. Now, young people, old people, businessmen, travelers, families – they all have a purpose for going to this area.
DB: How does this project differentiate from traditional transportation structure design?
mine: Over the years, China has developed many high-speed train tracks across the country. They allow people to travel between different cities, and of course, they also boost economic development. To some extent, the train station has become a symbol of China. Many of the stations are very monumental; they are very large and have huge squares in front. In most cases, train tracks are elevated. As a result, the station feels disconnected from the rest of the city. They are like islands that no one wants to go to unless they have to take a train. I know these buildings are symbolic, but I think we need more humanity for train stations and urban spaces. We need something simpler and more convenient. One should not get lost in the vastness of space and become disoriented. With these ideas in mind, we decided to do a low-key architectural project. If you look at the building from above, it is really low. We used this low height to put the focus on the historic building, which is also a very small building. Most of the functionality in our project is underground. From above, everyone can see only parks and green spaces.
DB: You mentioned that the design retains the original 1907 station. Why is it important for you to look back? How do you balance historical preservation with contemporary functionality?
MY: Old buildings are part of the city’s history. History needs to be preserved, especially when we want to design a so-called futuristic building. I love showing all these different eras and layers of history, and I want to show them all at the same time. Once you visit the space, you will see these historical elements and some abstract new spaces. You will think, ‘It’s futuristic. This is something I recognized 100 years ago. “ A different story is unfolding. Urban spaces need to have these layers so that people can fully understand what the plans are about. Of course, history gives us reason to design something new so that the past and present remain equal. When we put all these dimensions on equal footing, citizens find more freedom because they don’t feel like they belong only to the past or the future. Anyway, I didn’t want futuristic characters to dominate the atmosphere.
The old building is important but has no architectural value. It is part of history and that is why it is significant. This also gave us an excuse to build a new building that was very small compared to other train station buildings. I was able to build a low structure that respected the old building, which was already small. In a way, that’s me convincing the system, the government, to do something different and not build a giant train station like other transportation hubs in China.
DB: Can you elaborate on the implications of placing a busy transport hub underground and expanding an existing park? Did you encounter any challenges during the design and construction process?
mine: When it comes to transportation hubs, most Asians are used to very dense urban environments, as stations have to fulfill their primary function, which is of course the transportation of people. But in this case, we have multiple functions, most of which are now underground. Essentially, we designed and introduced a new type. Since everything is underground, there had to be a new design to facilitate the use of the infrastructure.
There is an existing gated park to the north of the site. We open it up and expand it. We planted more trees and planted green spaces to connect the train station to this old park and then to a new park to the south. The two parks are now connected underground. Integrating greenery into this city center is poetic, but it is also the main purpose of our project. We wanted to create something open.
Mine (continued): One of the main challenges we faced was convincing others of our development. This is more of an ideological challenge. We have to explain why this new train station looks like this. There was a long discussion at the beginning. We also had to ensure that there was enough commercial space in the project to support the entire project. The second challenge was that the trains could not be stopped during the entire construction process. Every day, the trains have to keep moving. This brings great challenges to construction. Everything is done quickly and in batches. First the North Platform, then the North Railway Station, then the North Building. But doing so much underground construction at such a fast pace is also a challenge. Through it all, the train once again had to keep moving.
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