A really clever use of abandoned space is being planned in Paris. What were abandoned, dirty, hot, claustophobic Metro stations are now planned to become clean, open and tranquil spaces.
Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, a center-right candidate for mayor of Paris and former environment minister, has unveiled a series of plans to turn the legendary “ghost stations” of the Paris Metro into underground oases.
Most of the ghost stations have been closed since France entered World War II in 1939. And although they haven’t seen passengers in 75 years, many of them have still led a somewhat active life.
The Saint-Martin station has been used as both a shelter for the homeless and to debut the 2010 Nissan Qashqai crossover. Porte des Lilas and Arsenal have been used as backdrops for films, and many others have been repurposed as training centers for staff or testbeds for new equipment.
Architects Manal Rachdi of OXO Associates and Nicolas Laisné have created renderings of the stations, repurposed as sleek spaces to display art, open restaurants, or create parks.
Photos: [Manal Rachdi OXO architects / Nicolas Laisne architect]
Source: [Wired]
