Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is all set to operate the first few metro lines in mumbai. The Mumbai metro stations are designed by the Delhi-NCR based architecture practice- Studio Archohm. Designed with a variety of details ranging from vertical louvers that impart a monolithic appearance to the actual frames that simultaneously provide the much-needed rain and sun protection, Mumbai metro stations project has been crucial in breaking the silos between engineers and architects.
Typology: Infrastructure
Name of Project: Mumbai Metro
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Name of Client: MMRDA
Name of Client’s Firm: MMRDA
Principal Architect: Sourabh Gupta
Design Team: Sanjay Rawat, Amit Nigam, Amit Kadam, Kashyap Tidke, Naveen Rawat, Mayank Gupta, Anshuman Dwivedi, Shazad Ahmed, Devender Rawat, Varsha Akshay Varnekar
Lines: 2 Lines- 5, 9
Start Date: 2019
Completion Date: ongoing
Photographer: Andre J. Fanthome
CONSULTANTS
Structural: LKT engineering consultants ltd.
Architectural: Archohm
Façade: Archohm
Engineering: Archohm
The strife between engineers and architects has seen no end. Infrastructure projects, especially Metro projects are classic examples wherein engineers usually head major decisions, and direct construction. Architectural commissions where engineers are hired to extend the possibilities for various disciplines of civil, structure, electrical, mechanical etc. However, in metro projects engineers lead the conversation, define the project scope, broadly labeling the superficial form and color as mere aesthetic advisors. Mumbai metro stations depart from this conventional methodology and architect-engineer dichotomy.
Architects chose the metro station color palette keeping in mind the necessity to orientate the city with its commute system. While the minimal interiors and materials helped keep the ‘building’ in the background of its commuters, utilities, lights, and pipes have been hidden meticulously while remaining functional. Inorder to withstand to withstand the sea salt and rains glass and aluminum have been used consciously. Last but not least, the metro columns and the viaducts spanning across Mumbai are marked with a crisp color line thereby adding to the visual chaos of Mumbai but as navigation signage. Andre J. Fanthome of studio Noughts & Cross has masterfully captured all of this.
Sourabh Gupta, Principal architect, Studio Archohm said “This was an apt opportunity to explore and express the power of design instead of the usual expectation of mere decoration. The idea was to conceive an avant-garde system, a kit of parts that can adapt and still keep its identity intact”.
The vantage point for the team was to pick every pain point in the experience and the image of a station in this insanely dense and tight metropolitan morphology. Thereafter each one of the issues were addressed with clean and clear architectural solutions. It was a challenge to maintain the aesthetics at the city level while being distinctive to the place and context at the local level. The access points, the entries, the art, and the graphics would make each space seemingly similar space into a powerful place for commuters from inside and the citizens from outside the station.
