When transiting through crowded metro stations, we all wish that the experience would end soon.

How many more stops before I can get off this packed train and out of the dimly-lit space that is the metro station? The Metro Station Passage at Vanke Wonderland, Hangzhou designed by TOMO DESIGN aims to change this sentiment by establishing a new spatial structure that combines urban metro transportation, inspiring commercial spaces and an easy-to-navigate signage system. What commuters will experience at this reimagined metro station is “a sense of future, interactivity, and ecosystem”.

The leisurely, natural ambiance will make you slow down your pace instead of rushing through the station. It’s not just a passage, it’s a space where you will want to linger and maybe even get a few errands done if you’re looking for groceries and flowers after work on the way home.

Located in Hangzhou’s Future Sci-Tech City, Wonderland is a transit-oriented development (TOD) project constructed by Vanke Hangzhou and Hangzhou Metro Group. Built above the depot of Wuchang Station on Metro Line 5, it's a smart TOD community centred on the theme of "sky, intelligence and future”.

The Wonderland project is a massive undertaking with commercial, residential, public spaces and cultural facilities with a total area of approximately 1.34 million square meters. The Entrance A passage at Wuchang Station of Metro Line 5 is linked with the Wonderland community; thus it carries the important role of making the first impression on visitors when they arrive at the community. The passage sets the tone for what visitors would expect of the grand Wonderland community, which is why the commercial street that is part of the passage must be both welcoming and efficient in enabling traffic flow-through.

When visitors exit the metro gate, they are greeted by soft wooden hues and warm-tone lighting, which is much more welcoming when contrasted with the usual cool, fluorescent lighting we’ve become accustomed to as part of our metro systems. The words “THIS IS YOUR WONDERLAND” are emblazoned into the floor as part of the passageway, hinting at the unique experience ahead.

As one exits the passageway, they are enveloped in a circular beam of light shining in from a glass skylight. The interplay of sunshine and shadow within the metro station creates what the TOMO DESIGN team describes as a “future forest” floating in the air. The round skylight is in the shape of an hourglass, with mirrored metal wrapped around the sides of the skylight, reflecting the sky and bringing it into the space underneath.

As the sunlight’s position changes throughout the day, the daylight and tree reflections seem to create a floating, moving "sky forest". The skylight captures light and shadows and records time like a sundial. The circular light strip outfitted to the base of the skylight alludes to a spaceship, and geometrical elements incorporated into the space further strengthen the futuristic feeling of the skylight area.

The skylight spotlights the eye-catching installation, which features a custom lighting fixture and an iconic robot art piece encircled by circular metallic seating. Each design component embodies the team’s theme of nature, technology, and the future. This spot is designed for people to take a break, wait for others, or sit down, socialize, and interact.

Distinct paving materials on the floor subtly demarcate different areas, avoiding the interference between leisure and motion and ensuring the efficiency of the metro station passage.

Two floors of commercial storefronts are located on one side of the metro passage. The first-floor shops feature protruding eaves to create rest areas and capsule-shaped lightboxes for an eye-catching visual effect. Shops on the second floor are set back to provide an open social area to create an interactive commercial experience and a leisurely, dynamic commercial ambience. The design helps attract passers-by to stop and consume in the stores while not affecting the flow of passengers in the metro station.

Aside from presenting a welcoming atmosphere for visitors to the Wonderland community, the design must also deliver efficient mobility, which is where the way-finding techniques come in. Large, lightbox signage, such as lit-up arrows direct traffic flow, while illuminated handrails guide visitors in the right direction. The differentiated paving material textures also indicate the circulation route. The team’s people-centric design approach is reflected in subtle details such as prefabricated tactile pavings for the visually impaired which is combined with the curves on the floor.

This metro station passage is a shining example of how form meets function, presenting an elegant and inspiring transition to Wonderland.

PROJECT DETAILS

Name: Metro Station Passage at Vanke Wonderland, Hangzhou

Client: Hangzhou Xishu Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Management team: Vanke Hangzhou

Location: Hangzhou, China

Area: 2,000sqm

Completion: 2022

Studio: TOMO DESIGN, TO ACC

Interior Design: Uno Chan, Xiao Fei

Cooperative Design: Reed, Daniel, Asi, Jason

Decoration Design: Tin

Photography: FREE WILL PHOTOGRAPHY

Technical Support: Shenzhen Lighting Language of Design Co., Ltd.