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Article from issue 4/2004 »Building with Light«

West Cemetery Underground Station in Munich

documentation p. 335 - 337
Architect Auer + Weber | Structural Engineer Mayr + Ludescher |

Drafts
1:250 Cross-section Platform
1:50 Partial View from below/Cross-section
1:5000 Site plan

Descending the escalators to platform level for the first time, passengers may be surprised by the design, which is reminiscent of the kind of spatial installation one might find in an art gallery: a row of lampshade-like objects is suspended over the column-free station space. In other respects, the architects have avoided any unnecessary decoration, how-ever. The character of the station is distinguished by restraint and functional appropriateness, with unclad concrete surfaces forming the background to the simple stainless-steel furnishings. Plans for an obscured-glass lining to the concrete structure were ultimately abandoned in order to bring out the true nature of the tunnel space.
Suspended over the platform are 11 huge aluminium lampshade objects, with a diameter of 3.80 m. These elements are faintly reminiscent of factory light fittings. With their red, blue and yellow inner surfaces, they form a striking contrast to the archaically bare walls. Each of these domed elements houses 12 fluorescent tubes, which were fitted as close to the top as possible to maintain a general impression of radiance. The domes are suspended over the platform by means of silver-painted frames fitted with blue fluorescent tubes. These bathe the unclad walls and soffit in a contrasting light, thereby accentuating the difference between the domed lampshades and the surrounding concrete surfaces.