Afragola (NA) – Italy
Progetto Creativo
Based in the urban area of Naples, the Napoli Afragola train station doesn’t go unnoticed. While crossing the countryside and the factories of the basso Casertano (area in the region of Campania, Italy) by car, the train station stands out as a futuristic work, breaking up the monotony of the landscape. This architectural structure was designed by Zaha Hadid and it is a true masterpiece, which astonishingly combines aesthetic and functionality.
The architecture of the Napoli Afragola train station stands out for the sinuous and fascinating shape, which is gracefully untied on the eight rails. The station is 500 metres long and has four levels. It looks like a raised bridge which harmoniously completes the surrounding environment. The huge inside glass windows let the lights in, creating an evocative atmosphere and dynamic symmetries.
The project was first presented in November 2003 and immediately aimed to have big points of light mainly in the roof, rather than the sides of the building. This decision was based on the geographical position. As a matter of fact, the Napoli Afragola train station is tipically exposed to a hot weather. Therefore, FRarchitettura and Alpha put their effort into looking for the right materials that could adapt to the requested geometrical shapes and have the right harmony with the majestic structure right from the start.
From the outside you can see a long and sinuous shaped glass window, which was made of low emission-glass magnetron coatings for sun protection during summer and at the same time the great brightness of it determines:
As in many projects developed with the technical consultation of FRarchitettura, the structures are not standard systems, but specifically studied and tailored made for the project at hand.
Even though it is majestic, the Napoli Afragola rail station perfectly merges with the landscape. It looks like its sinuous shapes merges with the horizon, creating a visual continuum which enhances the surroundings natural beauty. The park stripes along the sides of the rails increase this harmony by offering green spaces which perfectly merge with the architecture.
Other than the extraordinary aesthetic, the Napoli Afragola rail station was designed with the maximum attention to functionality and comfort for the passengers. The spaces had been studied to minimize the travelers’ movements in between rails and to guarantee a comfortable experience of travel. Moreover, the embedded sections – such as the conference and the exhibition rooms – add value to the structure, turning it into a multifunctional center for the community.
The history of the Napoli Afragola rail station is imbued with the vision and the ingenuity of the architect Zaha Hadid. The project had begun in 2003 and was celebrated in 2017. It then became a tribute to the architect’s creativity, who unfortunately couldn’t see her work finished due to her untimely death. Nonetheless, Zaha Hadid’s legacy lives through this extraordinary art work, which keeps inspiring and captivating travelers from all over the world.
In conclusion, the Napoli Afragola station is much more than just a railway hub. It is an embodiment of architectural and functional excellence, a symbol of architecture’s transformative power in shaping our built environment. Its presence in the Italian landscape stands as a lasting testament to Zaha Hadid’s innovative vision and her indelible impact on contemporary architecture.
Product description included in the architectural work:
The ambitious roof designed by Zaha Hadid contributes to the shape, dynamism of the building and brightness of the interior spaces, which are protected by our insulating glass windows.
Type:
Smart 30/20
Client:
Alpha AS
Architect:
Zaha Hadid
Design:
Zaha Hadid, Patrik Schumacher
Project Director:
Filippo Innocenti
Project Associate:
Roberto Vangeli
Project Architect – Competition Stage:
Filippo Innocenti, Paola Cattarin
Site Supervision Team:
Marco Guardincerri, Michele Salvi, Pasquale Miele (BC, Building Consulting)
Design Team:
Michele Salvi, Federico Bistolfi, Cesare Griffa, Paolo Zilli, Mario Mattia, Tobais Hegemann, Chiara Baccarini, Alessandra Bellia, Serena Pietrantonj, Roberto Cavallaro, Karim Muallem, Luciano Letteriello, Domenico Di Francesco, Marco Guardincerri, Davide Del Giudice Competition Team Fernando Perez Vera, Ergian Alberg, Hon Kong Chee, Cesare Griffa, Karim Muallem, Steven Hatzellis, Thomas Vietzke, Jens Borstelmann, Robert Neumayr, Elena Perez, Adriano De Gioannis, Simon Kim, Selim Mimita
Location:
Afragola, Napoli – Italy
Photo:
Hufton + Crow
