Qasr AlHokm metro station in Riyadh

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The new Qasr AlHokm metro station is one of the main hubs of Riyadh’s underground transport network, which includes the King Abdullah Financial District stop by Zaha Hadid Architects . A system of infrastructures of great urban importance has thus been consolidated in the Saudi capital. Snøhetta’s design, developed from a competition won in 2012, connects public space and infrastructure through a large, curving canopy of stainless steel. This roof, shaped like a mirrored bowl, extends over the plaza and slopes downwards towards the interior. The 8-millimeter double-curved panels form a continuous reflective surface. The polished skin serves two purposes: it channels natural light to the underground levels and visually connects the exterior to the interior through reflections. The plaza, with its gentle slopes, guides visitors under the roof to the main entrances. The system incorporates photovoltaic panels and collects rainwater for irrigating the garden below. The station, which serves two metro lines, spans eight subterranean levels and takes up approximately 20,000 square meters. At the base of the atrium, some 35 meters below street level, is an underground garden where vegetation helps maintain a moderate temperature even during the hottest months.