Header: Produced by HISM, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia
Turin is getting a major underground makeover. The city recently selected a winning design for its new Metro Line 2, a massive project led by the Dutch architecture firm UNStudio (UNS) in collaboration with a group of specialised partners. The goal isn’t just to build a way to get from point A to point B, but to create a new landmark that makes the city easier to navigate and more enjoyable to live in.
A modern take on historic architecture
The design team looked at what makes Turin feel like Turin—the long stretches of arched walkways, the rivers, and the sturdy, simple buildings. They decided to use the idea of “transition” as their main guide. This means the stations reflect how people move through the city, shifting from the classic arches of old plazas to modern, square lines.
Turin’s buildings often have very simple, serious exteriors that hide beautiful, detailed spaces inside. The new metro stations follow this tradition. On the street level, the entrances look clean and understated. Once you head downstairs, however, the spaces open up into bright, inviting environments that feel like “jewel boxes” tucked beneath the pavement.
Flexible parts for thirty-two different stops
Building a subway line with 32 stations is a huge puzzle. To solve it, the designers created a modular system. Instead of making every station look exactly the same or completely different, they developed a kit of parts. This allows them to change the size and shape of a station to fit a specific neighbourhood, like the park setting of Mole Giardini or the busy area around San Giovanni Bosco, while keeping the overall look consistent.
The project uses three layers to stay organised. First is the Network Identity, which uses a specific set of colours and signs so you always know you are in the Metro Line 2 system. Second is the System Identity, which makes sure the station entrances fit well with the sidewalks and bus stops nearby. Finally, there is the Station Identity. This adds local flavour to each stop through art and landscaping based on themes like history, nature, or innovation.
Using colour and light to find your way
The colours for the new line aren’t random; they come from the surrounding landscape. You will see warm yellows and ochres that feel like the city’s old stones, mixed with greens and blues that represent the nearby mountains and water. This palette is used on everything from the station walls to the digital apps and paper maps.
Inside the stations, the focus is on making travel less stressful. The floors use a material inspired by traditional terrazzo, and the walls are made of tough aluminium and porcelain that can handle thousands of daily commuters. Lighting is kept soft and diffused to prevent glare, making the platforms feel calm rather than cold and industrial.
Connecting the digital and physical journey
The design team mapped out the entire passenger experience, starting from the moment someone buys a ticket on their phone to the moment they step onto the train. By making sure the digital signs match the physical signs in the station, the system becomes intuitive. You don’t have to stop and think about where to go; the design leads you there naturally. Even during construction, the project’s branding will be used to explain what is happening to the public, turning a building site into an invitation to see the city’s future.
UNStudio’s plan for Turin’s Metro Line 2 turns basic infrastructure into a high-quality public space. It is a practical yet bold step forward that treats the daily commute as an experience worth improving.
Project info
Client: Extraordinary Commissioner for the construction of Line 2 of the Turin Metro; Infratrasporti.To S.r.l
UNS Team: Ben van Berkel, Marianthi Tatari, Raul Forsoni, Michele De Simone, Melinda Matuz, Saba Navabi, Leon Hansmann, Aigul Sadrtdinova, Ren Yee, Cristina Garriga, Huey Chan
Advisors:
Local Architect: Settanta7
Branding company: Frigorosso
Wayfinding: Mijksenaar
Structure & MEP: 3BA
Sustainability, People flow, Façade: WSP
Visualisations by:
Produced by HISM, Settanta7, UNS, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia
Source: v2com newswire
