Back to the future. Metro renovation by GROUP A

In the context of the discussion about the methods of renovation of brutal monsters, we decided to show the work of the architectural studio GROUP A - the results of the reconstruction of the eastern line of the Amsterdam metro Oostlijn. Did the architect manage to preserve the style of the era of modernism and the ego's "brutal DNA"?

The design of the eastern subway line in Amsterdam, which includes 16 stations – 5 underground and 11 above-ground – was developed in the 70s by the architects of Spängberg and van Rhijn. Predominance of concrete, sharp lines, angular shapes, asymmetry, active color and other stylistic nuances characteristic of the school of Le Corbusier - the "brutal branch" certainly had a pronounced architectural character. The value of this was not questioned during the discussion of modernization plans. But over the years, the clarity of the original architecture has faded due to numerous point transformations and experiments with design. And the functionality of the Oostlijn spaces, from the point of view of modern users, was lost.

Holendrecht station before and after renovation. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

Passengers complained that they felt uncomfortable: entrances and evacuation routes were too narrow, navigation was unclear, and lighting and ventilation systems were archaic. The walls of crossings and stations were covered with a tangle of wires and chaotic graffiti. In short, numerous complaints poured in to the address of the owner - Metro en Tram Amsterdam.

GROUP A architects, together with the Fabrique agency, proposed a project that, in their opinion, allows, without denying the brutal DNA, but on the contrary, restoring its identity, to bring the stations in line with the modern requirements that users present to the design of urban infrastructure. To do this, all 16 stations underwent a unified "cleaning".

Station van der Madeweg. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

Spaklerweg station. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

The walls and floors of the Oostlijn stations and tunnels were cleaned of temporary layers, after which the floor coverings were carefully sanded, and the rough concrete received a protective coating that allows easy washing off of paint and dirt. All temporary installations: attendants' booths, newspaper kiosks, advertising boxes were mercilessly removed. Communications are hidden in the walls. The elevators were replaced, and their shafts were made transparent.

Additional light openings appeared in the lobbies at the entrances and exits, some of the blind partitions and ceilings were replaced with glass, including colored glass.

Station Holendrecht. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

The outdated lighting system was replaced with modern point and linear LED lamps with intelligent control. Such a system creates a play of light and shadows on the walls and visually "raises" the ceilings.

Having scraped the station down to the monochrome concrete base, the designers highlighted strategic locations with color - entrance groups, ticket machines, information desks, SOS posts and guide lines. In the interior, new materials were added to the original concrete - colored glass, wood and ceramic glazed tiles.

Station Holendrecht. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

Weesperplein station. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

Weesperplein station. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

Despite the fact that all 16 stations have a different design and layout, they are united by a common graphic layer - navigation (developed according to new standards) and a red on a white background ornament on ceramic inserts.

Work on the modernization of Oostlijn lasted almost ten years and was completed at the end of 2018. This year, spot work on the restoration of old art panels at underground stations and the integration of new art objects will continue. The project was implemented without interrupting the work of the subway - only three of the 16 stations had to be closed for up to two months. Metro en Tram Amsterdam believes that the completed renovation will allow the Oostlijn to remain functional for the next 30 years.

Weesperplein station. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

Wibautstraat station. Image source: Digidaan, Amsterdam/ v2com

How clearly does its modernist basis shine through the new image of Oostlijn? This question is actively discussed by the residents of Amsterdam, and since the Metro Oostlijn project has been nominated for several international competitions, it is also in the architectural environment. By the way, this work of GROUP A and the team was recently awarded the FRAME Awards 2019 jury award in the Best Governmental Interior nomination.

About the creative Dutch approach to the construction of the new line of the Amsterdam metro North-South line and the museum of artifacts at the Rokin station we previously wrote here.