Gulf Construction Online - Designs approved for two metro stations

UAE Focus

Inspired by the UAE’s heritage ... Al-Ras metro (left) and concourse.

Designs approved for two metro stations

01 January 2009

Architectural designs for two stations on the Green Line of the Dubai Metro have been approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The design, which is derived from the heritage flavour of the city, mirrors the rich legacy and historical profile of the city in a style synonymous of the heritage nature of the neighbourhood.
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) chairman and executive director Mattar Al Tayer said that design of the two stations focuses on the traditional architectural aspects used in antique buildings such as wind towers (brajeels), oriels (mashrabias), alleyways (sukaiks), and internal arches in an advanced setting.
Due attention has been given to the aesthetic and technical dimensions of the elements so that the stations will look like a natural expansion of old and traditional suqs and also be viewed as extension of the Heritage and Diving Village and the existing old control towers in the area.
Entrances of stations that will be constructed at grade will match the heritage architecture fabric of these areas and integrated with the design of Dubai Creek Banks Development Project, which shares the same design nature.
The design of all elevated stations has been modelled on the shape of a seashell, inspired from the diving and pearl-fishing heritage of the UAE, while the interior design depicts the four elements of nature – water, air, earth and fire.
Elevated stations consist of two types. The first is stations with entrances constructed at grade with elevated platforms. This design aims to enable passengers heading towards the station to maintain an optical link with the external environment of the station through glazed roofs or glazed partitions. The second type of station is supported on pillars, where both the lounge and platform are housed in the upper level. Since these stations are situated in locations parallel to highways, they will be accessed from both sides of the road through entrances at the ground level.
Most metro stations are linked with massive air-conditioned footbridges across Sheikh Zayed Road.
A complete package of facilities is in place at all stations for people with special needs. These include audio-visual aids of direction and display of information for optically and audio-impaired persons. Fittings also include floor markings to ease the mobility of individuals with impaired vision to guide the disabled to gates or places designated for them in carriages. Braille and internal pager systems will also be in use at all locations, as well as escalators and roomy elevators that enable the movement of wheel-chairs.