Antwerp Pre-metro: Modern design with respect for the past

These studies consist of putting into operation the unused metro tunnels under the Kerkstraat/Pothoekstraat and finishing the Stuivenberg and Willibrordus stations. And also the completion of the Drink and Morkhoven stations on the line under Turnhoutsebaan.

The team's main challenge is to translate the existing "hardware" from the 70s and 80s into the present. To create stations that are inviting, recognisable and socially safe, with an image that does justice to the unique character of the city of Antwerp. 

The design for the four Premetro stations was developed with "respect for the past and the grown context, rooted in the present and with room for future developments over the next 30 years. The team sees its task as realizing stations with comfortable urban interiors with a lot of transparency and overview. Stations that also fit into the existing pre-metro network and are future-proof, with no concessions made to the maintenance and cleaning aspects.

Construction of the Pre-metro

This requires a sensitive and holistic approach, accommodating the needs of mobility and giving place to the traveler experience. To achieve this, the team aims to put the concepts of "community, identity, placemaking, well-being and circularity" at the heart of the project. To be innovative and develop a well-functioning metro line integrated into the city, which can symbolize both socially and technically the mobility of the future.

For the lighting design, the team will cooperate with Beersnielsen, known for the lighting design for the Metro Oostlijn in Amsterdam. 

For more information about this project, you can contact:

John PIPELEERS - Senior Project Leader Hasselt, in Belgium
John.pipeleers@tractebel.engie.com