“HÔPITAL LYON SUD” METRO STATION
LOCATION
A new metro station, “Hôpital Lyon Sud” (HLS), is being built in the town of Saint-Genis-Laval. It completes the extension of metro line B, as part of the new multimodal hub serving the south of Lyon, in France.
Located along the Chemin du Grand Revoyet, opposite the existing hospital, the new project includes the metro station, an express bus line via the Anneau des Sciences and a 900 lots cars-park facility.
The station structure is 80m long, 25.5m wide and reaches a depth of 20m. Apart from the upper technical floor, located at +8.2m, the station has three main levels, connected by elevators, staircases and mechanical circulations: the main hall at +0.00m at street level, the mezzanine at -7.80m and the platform at -14.85m.
ACCESS
All the metro station gates are accessible from the street via the main hall. At this level, pedestrian traffic flows smoothly, and the the level differences of the natural ground have been resolved by gentle sloping transitions. Similarly, there are no steps between the parking lot, the shop and the metro gates.
With a height of 5.5m, the main hall, brings together the passenger reception, the ticket offices, the surveillance room, direct access to the shop, an access to the park facility and above all, the ticket controle line to reach the metro. Once you pass the line, two elevators allows you to reach the platforms and shorten the journey for people with heavy loads or reduced mobility.
THE CENTRAL SPACE
Bathed in natural light down to its deepest level, the central space of the metro showcases the articulation of the stairs linking the street and the platforms. Staircases and escalators run approximately 14m high, first in the central part, then through a mezzanine on the periphery, to reach the platforms on either side of the station.
The mezzanine essentially houses the station's technical rooms. It incorporates the intermediate landing for the fixed stairs and escalators. From there, passengers are directed laterally to both platforms. This central platform gives passengers a full view of the station.
The staircases are arranged symmetrically and follow the station's side walls, with one escalator and two fixed staircases for each direction.
This spider-like configuration provides users with an overall view to orient themselves and visualize the access and egress route, without much need of signage. Reinforced by architecture that underlines this objective, all spaces highlight the pathway through the station.
THE PLATFORMS
The platforms are visible from the main hall, and are mostly naturally lit. They are at least 3.50m wide and 72.30m long. The great thickness of the side walls allows for the integration of platform equipment and seating. At the end of each platform an elevator is located that allows direct connection with the main hall.
In case of fire, two refuge areas are located on each platform. The first refuge area is located to the side of the elevator, and the second at the other end of the platform. A dedicated staircase allows evacuation from the refuge areas directly outside the station on the forecourt.
THE STRUCTURE
With no superfluous cladding, the architecture strives to control and show the station's sturdy, repetitive structure at its best.
Marked by the simple shapes of the grids and tiles, the detailed design of the structural registers gives the space a human scale and its own identity.
MATERIALS
The project features a limited range of materials applied directly to the concrete structure.
The space is designed with particular attention to details. The simplicity of the overall treatment facilitates upkeep and maintenance. The space has little color so as not to clash with the signage, equipment and furnishings. The concrete has been lightly tinted with colored beige sands to soften the overall ambience.
The structural elements are treated in architectural concrete, emphasizing the regular layout of the supports. The main walls are covered with a light-colored circular tile (diameter 20cm), which enhances the station's luminosity. This modular treatment (3.50m x 2.70m modules) underlines the station's functionality and straightforward configuration.
The side walkway walls stands out from the central volume with a raw material. Acoustic ceilings enhance the station's comfort. Ceilings are clad in the same modularity as the vertical walls, ensuring a uniform layout throughout the station.
The hall, mezzanine and platforms floors are covered with patterned tiles to match the walls. Dark-colored tiles emphasize the differentiation between the central and side spaces.
LIGHT
One of the key elements of the station's architecture is the in-depth use of natural light to guide passengers, make the space comfortable and reduce energy consumption.
Artificial lighting is seen as a supplement, to highlight the space and the pathway. The platforms incorporate a custom-designed, round lighting beam, with its structure attached to the side walls. It provides double lighting, directed upwards and downwards. This function compensates for the loss of daylight in spaces at the end of platforms. Lighting directed towards the side walls reveals the materiality of the station.
There are no advertisements in the station, but works by photographer Marc Riboud, known for his travel reports and born (in the neighborhood) in Saint-Genis-Laval in 1923.
The competition team was led by Beatriz Gago Roncero and Roland Oberhofer; Jeremias Lorch and Margot Carrier supervised the study, Alberto Gatti the construction site.
