Ma Yansong's Design at Jiaxing Train Station Promotes People-Friendly, Eco-Conscious Urban Planning
Reimagining a Transportation Hub: Jiaxing Train Station by MAD Architects
Step into a breathtaking fusion of history, nature, and modernity with Jiaxing Train Station, a marvel by Ma Yansong and his firm MAD Architects. Nestled in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, southwest of Shanghai, this station cleverly redefines the concept of a transportation hub, merging progressive design with cultural sensitivity.
Crafted to resemble a "train station in the forest," the station boasts a lush, undulating green roof that elegantly blends the structure into the heart of the parkland. Beneath this verdant canopy lies a cutting-edge transport facility, capable of handling high-speed rail and daily commuters. The original 1907 station, too, has been meticulously restored to stand as a cultural landmark.
Ma Yansong's design embodies his ongoing exploration of the "Shanshui City" principles, a fascinating blend of nature, urban space, and emotional resonance. By sinking much of the functional infrastructure underground, the design frees up surface-level space for pedestrian access and public use, transforming the station into a bustling civic destination instead of just another transit point. This enchanting merger of the past and the future invites travelers to navigate the fascinating world of Jiaxing's history while embracing its vibrant future. We bring you insights from Ma Yansong himself.
Redefining Time: A Journey Through History
Q: Why did you decide to construct a 1:1 replica of the historic station building, while creating a new train station underground?
A: Transportation indeed bridges the entire system, allowing us to develop the concept of a museum intervened by time. I envisioned this place to be open to all, enabling the public to engage with the ecology and cultural content on a deeper level. The replicated 1:1 station, now a museum, offers a stimulating dialogue between the past and the future. The antiquated 100-year-old train station not only mirrors the city's history, but also serves as a powerful symbol of the city's culture.
Marrying the Old and the New: A Symphony of Timelines
Q: Tell me about the history of Jiaxing Railway Station and how you're connecting the old and the new.
A: Jiaxing Railway Station first opened its doors in 1907, serving as an essential transportation hub on the Shanghai-Hangzhou line. Over time, the station gained prominence in Chinese history, especially as it hosted several delegates from the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921. Tragically, the station was destroyed in 1937 by the Japanese.
After careful restoration, the original station building stands once again as a cultural landmark, serving as the History Museum of Jiaxing Railway Station. The new station, skillfully buried beneath the ground, boasts a striking, "floating" metal roof proportionate in scale with the historic building. The restored station house and the new station house coexist harmoniously, their black bridge canopy and silver platform forming a continuous line, symbolizing the relationship between the past, the present, and the future.
Beyond the Overused: Our Take on Sustainability
Q: Because the word "sustainability" has been overused and oftentimes "abused," what is your definition of sustainability?
A: For us, sustainability carries two primary dimensions: data ecology and cultural longevity. The entire roof of both station houses is adorned with solar panels, making the buildings net-zero energy consumers. By generating electricity that feeds into the city's grid, we've essentially transformed the architectures into power stations. The second aspect that intrigues us is cultural sustainability, or the reactivation of old buildings with new energy. To us, architecture isn't just about preserving materials or historical artifacts. Rather, it's about using those elements to tell a story that resonates with the soul of the city and endures through time.
Empowering the Future: A Call for Change
Q: Do you believe that Jiaxing Train Station can serve as a model for sustainable practices for other transport infrastructure projects around the world, impact policy, and change industry standards?
A: The typical railway stations in China are mostly standardized, making innovation a challenge. However, innovation transcends the response to urban conditions. Our goal is to arrive at an understanding that unique designs, deeply rooted in their cultural and urban contexts, should be the norm, especially in post-globalization. These designs should echo the distinct local identity, whether that's their history, culture, or vision. Jiaxing Train Station is more than just another transport hub; it's a testament to the unique bond between the city and its heritage, brimming with the potential to redefine sustainable practices in the realm of architecture and infrastructure.
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Designing a Gateway to the Future: The Jiaxing Train Station
Building a Modern Icon
- Commissioned by the Jiaxing government, the new station underwent a meticulous design process, combining the expertise of engineer Shi Xiaodong from Arup and technologist Julian Lin from Arup Digital.
Symbolizing a Historical City
- Sitting on the banks of Hangzhou Bay, the Jiaxing Train Station occupies a strategic location in Zhejiang Province, connecting the city to regional and national transportation networks, boosting its economic growth and promoting tourism.
Architecture Pioneering Sustainability
- By utilizing energy-efficient features, such as solar power, geothermal energy, and natural ventilation, the station is designed to minimize its environmental footprint while optimizing operational costs.
Bridging Cultures through Architecture
- Ma Yansong's approach to this project reflects his unique philosophy of "shanshui urbanism," which aims to create harmonious relationships between city landscapes and the natural environment, striking a delicate balance between civilization and nature.
Ma Yansong, a Chinese architect, has designed the Jiaxing Train Station to embody his philosophy of "shanshui urbanism", creating a harmony between urban spaces and nature. This home-and-garden project in China is not just a transport facility; it's a fusion of history, nature, and modernity that invites people to engage with the city's culture and ecology, and even offers insights into sustainable living. The station's architecture, with its solar panels and energy-efficient features, fosters a lifestyle that respects the environment while preserving the city's heritage.
