London-based architecture firm Weston Williamson + Partners has won Dubai's 'Route 2020' competition with a dramatic, wing-shaped terminus. The competition accepted entries for the design of the desert metropolis' new Red Line extension. That project is a massive one that encompasses a significant portion of the Dubai transportation system.
The winged terminus at the center of the Route 2020 winning project will go down as the most notable aspect of the high-profile project, but Weston Williamson + Partners had to design much more than the train station. Route 2020 also included effectively incorporating 11.8 kilometers of viaduct and 3.2 kilometers of underground tracks for a total of seven new train stations. This made the contest as much about civil planning as architecture.
Winged Railway Termini
The 'Route 2020' Competition Decided Dubai's New Red Line Extension
Trend Themes
1. Winged Railway Termini - Designing unique and visually striking train stations with distinctive architectural features.
2. Red Line Extension - Expanding and enhancing existing transportation systems through new railway lines and infrastructure.
3. Civil Planning and Architecture - Integrating civil planning and architectural design to create efficient and functional transportation systems.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Opportunity for architects to create innovative and iconic designs for train stations and transportation infrastructure.
2. Transportation - Demand for improved and expanded transportation systems, including new railway lines and stations.
3. Construction - Opportunity for construction companies to participate in large-scale infrastructure projects like the Red Line extension in Dubai.