Zaha Hadid Architects and A_Lab to design two new metro stations in Oslo

Zaha Hadid Architects and Norwegian practice A_Lab had the winning proposal to design the Fornbuporten and Fornebu Senter stations, two of the six stations planned for Oslo's new Fornebubanen metro line. Fourteen teams anonymously submitted their proposals to the competition jury. Teams were directed to design the Fornbuporten station with innovative ways of working with lighting, while the Fornebu Senter station had to be a lively, civic space.

The 8-kilometer-long Fornebubanen metro line will run through a sub-surface tunnel that connects to the Majorstuen interchange station in the heart of ever-growing Oslo. Once all six stations are built, it will take approximately 12 minutes to travel to the city center, according to ZHA. Get a first glimpse of each station below.

Fornbuporten Station

The Fornbuporten Station is defined by two distinctly designed entrances. At the north entrance is an oval canopy built over a community park, while the south entrance features a layered, orthogonal pavilion and public piazza. 

The contrasting geometric designs of the Fornbuporten Station entrances continue below ground to the platforms. “The entrance pavilions reflect the full spectrum of scattered light that varies with the changing Oslo sky throughout the day,” ZHA says. The station is illuminated by atmospheric lighting that fluctuates with the time of day, as a way to boost passengers' moods.

Fornebu Senter Station

“Inspired by Norway’s mountainous landscapes and fjords that have been eroded over millennia, the Fornebu Senter station’s design carves canyons and spaces for the flow of people,” ZHA says. The public plazas transform into entrances at both ends of the station where they can function as meeting places.

“People have been waiting for the Fornebubanen for a long time. The design of these stations will be crucial for the development of their locations," said Geir Haaversen, the founder and general manager of A_Lab.

“We look forward to collaborating with A_Lab on this important project,” said ZHA Project Directors Ludovico Lombardi and Daniel Fiser in a statement. “Together we aim to deliver the most accessible stations that will also enhance the public realm.”

As one of Oslo's largest infrastructure projects, construction of the Fornebubanen metro line will begin in 2020 and completion is currently slated for 2025.

Other ongoing projects from ZHA include the first phase of the Aljada Central Hub, the serpentine Napoli Afragola railway station in Italy, and their redevelopment of the Mercury Tower in Malta, to name a few.

All images courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects.