Futuristic Metro Station Passage at Vanke Wonderland

Located in Hangzhou 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 of Metro Line 5, this is a smart TOD community centered on the theme of “sky, intelligence and future”.

Apart from residential buildings, the Wonderland project also incorporates offices as well as commercial, public and cultural facilities to build a large TOD community with a total area of about 1.34 million square metres.

Compared with pure commercial spaces, this commercial street connecting with the metro station requires unconventional design. Its design needs to not only consider commercial operation, but also ensure efficient, convenient transportation access. The space needs to integrate into the metro station as a part of it, and more importantly to act as a connecting point that represents the image of the Wonderland project.

Based on the positioning of the project, TOMO Design breaks the conventional design of metro station-based commercial spaces. Taking “a sense of future, interactivity and ecosystem” as keywords, and adopting a leisurely, natural aesthetic ambience as well as a clear and efficient circulation strategy, the team undertakes a design that combines multiple functions including urban metro transportation, commercial street and signage system.

To better guide human flow, TOMO Design created an efficient, clear signage system formed by a series of unified elements.

At the entrance of the metro station passage, capsule-like light boxes as well as luminous arrow symbols form striking wayfinding signs. These light boxes display metro information, and other information. In addition, light boxes featuring a dot matrix not only convey information, but also fuel an air of technology and future.

Light strips inserted under the handrails help guide people’s movement. The varied paving material textures also indicate the circulation route. Prefabricated tactile pavings for the visually impaired are combined with the curves on the floor, revealing people-centric and subtle details.

Upon stepping out of the metro ticket gate, one is instantly greeted by a soft wood hue and warm light, which breaks the cool tone of common metro station spaces and highlights the relaxing, natural atmosphere of the Wonderland community that connects with the station.

At the end of the passage, a beam of circular light from the sky filters through. The interplay of sunshine and tree shadows creates a “future forest” floating in the air.

Based on the existing architectural structures, the round skylight is presented in the form of an hourglass. Mirrored metal featuring a sense of technology wraps the side to reflect the sky and bring it into the space underneath.

With the change of sunshine 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. Besides, the circular light strip echoing UFO and geometrical elements fitting into the space further strengthen the futurist feeling.

Beneath the skylight is circular metallic seats, a customised futuristic lighting fixture, and an iconic robot art installation. Like an urban park plaza, this area creates the first impression of Wonderland through relaxing and natural expressions. It provides an iconic venue where people can take a rest, wait for or interact with family members and friends.

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

Two-level stores are set on one side of the metro stage passage. The stores on the first-floor feature protruding eaves, creating a relaxing atmosphere for the outside resting area. In addition, the stylish capsule-shaped light boxes and the transparent glass doors that reveal the warm lighting in the stores create eye-catchy visual effects.

The stores on the second floor are set back to leave space for an outdoor seating area, so as 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.

The commercial area and the transportation passage are subtly demarcated through different paving materials, which naturally separate the flow of people with different needs. Besides, meticulous detailing creates a savvy, open commercial environment to stimulate passers-by’s desire for consumption, whilst efficiently ensuring smooth traffic flow of passengers.

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