All photos courtesy of UNStudio
After being appointed principal architect by Qatar Rail, Dutch company UNStudio has published its designs for the new Doha Metro.
The metro is one of three public transportation projects that Qatar is working on to help reduce the nation’s growing road congestion. It will enter operations in 2019 with four lines and some 37 stations.
The renderings were shared this week, and will apply to the first phase of the metro when it opens in four years, as well as the second phase, when the transport system is extended to 56 stations by 2026.
In a statement, UNStudio said:
“UNStudio’s design forms a bridge between the past and the future of Qatar, drawing inspiration from the vast regional architectural lexicon, whilst simultaneously representing an effective vision of modernisation and preservation.
The design further aims to incorporate and integrate all functional and technical aspects of the network and stations into a coherent architectural expression.”
Background
Previously, Qatar Rail said the first phase of the Doha Metro would be completed in 2017, and be in the testing phase for two years before opening to passenger traffic in 2019.
By this time, some 10 stations are expected to be completed for the Red Line North (which links Msheireb to the Doha Golf Course via West Bay) and eight stations for the Red Line South (which links Msheireb to Hamad International Airport).
Some 11 stations on the Gold Line and 10 stations on the Green Line are also expected to be open by 2019.
Some 21 boring machines will be used to dig tunnels for the metro, which is mostly underground. When the first machines arrived, Qatar Rail said digging would begin in August.
However, the company has not responded to recent inquiries from Doha News about the process.
Other projects
Qatar is also making progress on a Lusail light-rail transit system, which consists of 37 stations along a 30.5km track and is expected to be operational by 2017.
This is a separate project from the Doha Metro, but passengers would be able to transfer between the two lines at the Lusail Marina/Pearl station.
A passenger and freight rail network is also in the works, but isn’t expected to be completed until 2029.
What do you think of the new designs? Thoughts?
