Erbil Metro Station

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ERBIL METRO

T H E N A T U R E P O W E R S T A T I O N

TOOLS : Rhinoceros 5, Google SketchUp Pro 2014, Autodesk 3Ds Max 2014
PLUGINS : Grasshopper, Paneling Tools, T-Splins, AD Shape Modeling, Greeble, SKP LayOut
POST PRODUCTION : Vray 3Ds Max 2.4, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop

CASE STUDY & DESIGN : Mohammed Siyamand

SUPERVISOR : Ansam Saleh Al-hadidi

YEAR : 2014

Read The Case Study Thesis Book

Erbil Metro Station (EMS) is a prominent public station representing the technological achievement in the transformation of the visionary future of Erbil city, aiming to improve the transportation services in the city at a time, in which, the city and its inhabitants are suffering from the overcrowding and the poor transportation’s solutions. Not to mention how the EMS is also expected to stand out as a landmark in Erbil.

Urban Aspects of Erbil Metro Station

As the pre-design procedure studies have lead, the EMS, to have two metro-lines, (Red-, and Green- lines that represent elevated and underground metro-lines, respectively), that intersect at the center of the city in a way that these two lines cover the most areas of the city, whilst they merge into one line in some places. And the reason behind having both types of metro lines (Red and Green lines) is because of the inflexibility of the city’s infrastructure at needed positions for the metro stations.

Furthermore, to make it easy for people to reach the station, metro buses are used to cover more and further areas, by collecting people from nearby sectors and driving them to the station.

The Concept

From the beginning the EMS inspired by (Chloroplast) since its main function is transportation, and also for the energy it is the producer, which makes it earn the name; The Natural Power Station. Many aspects of the design are inspired by Chloroplast and are embodied within the project to serve as the main architectural elements of it, those aspects are explained in below.

Project elements that inspired by Chloroplast components.

Form

The organic form of the project is a result of two factors: One, is the natural flow of a Chloroplast that sculptures the outer shell of the building. Other Chloroplast’s parts inspired different interior designs within the EMS, such as the vacuum elevators, atrium spaces, and internal bridge, (as illustrated in diagram 1).

Second factor is the traditional forces of the surrounding environment that affected the organic facade, such as the patterns used in the outer skin. Which are inspired by heritage themes of the ancient citadel of Erbil at the initial design process, and then developed with a parametric method to blend-in with the glass gradually.

Last but not least, the EMS’s facade is provided with new elements that express the modern, digital era, that are represented by dynamically placed lights here and there in the project (not only in the facade but also on the site).

Functionality

As a solution for the circulation within the station, there are three floors over ground, and three floors underground, that are accessed from the ground floor in an organized way in which the metro platforms (the elevated and the underground platforms) are both reached from the paid zone only. Whilst the retail and shops floor is reached from the unpaid zone.
Both metro platforms aren’t reached directly from the lobby but the lobby leads to a concourse floor in which it directs passengers to their specific platform in an organized manner.

The solution for the circulation within the station.

Sustainability

Since the project’s concept was inspired by a natural element that is the containment of sustainability in its purest forms, it initiated a sustainable circulation system for example the project contains multiple entrances that would conserve the energy of users to a limit of flexibility and ease.

The aid of Solar Voltaic Cells that cover the whole roof in providing the station with power, Also the shading devices in the dynamic façade that twist to prevent more direct sun light and protect the interior spaces from intense heat.