Marble in Subway Stations and Inside the World of Public Transportation
The elegance of marble makes it suitable for most symbolic places. The public transportation system can show elements of luxury, as well. Creating unique spectacles with marble stones will attract more people to use the public transportation means, in a way. In countries like Russia, their subway stations are like a grand room in a castle. So, marble has its place in the hearts of people anywhere and everywhere possible. Here we can find out about these public places in the world of transportation where marble stone also plays an active part. As a versatile and durable material, marble stone is perfect for these subway stations.
Metro Station Komsomolskaya, Moscow
In Russia, we can trace back the use of marble in subway stations to the Soviet Union. The leaders of the country, at the time, decided that subway stations should depict the superiority of their beliefs. Thereby, they had to be magnificent. Therefore, they brought marble and granites from Urals, Georgia, and Ukraine to fulfill their missions. The first station had white marble stones all over it. It mimicked the daylight and the outer world. The usage of marble stones, along with other natural elements, has continued to this day. As an example, we can point to Komsomolskaya station. Joseph Stalin wanted this place to be a “palace for the people”. This location has 68 pillars made of limestone and marble standing on granite flooring. The ideology behind making these unique structures may have long been considered obsolete. However, their beauty remains appreciated as the art of stone craft.
World Trade Center Transportation Hub, New York
This location might be one of the most crucial linking points in New York. This hub connects 11 subway lines. But beyond all the crowd, you can see the white marble stones changing the mood for the better. Oculus is a transportation hub and shopping mall built alongside the One World Trade Center. Has it been an expensive project to use all-white Italian marbles? Yes. But was it worth it? Of course. However, the costs have gone over the roof. The original marble is 56 dollars per square foot. Add shipping costs, and the results are mind-blowing.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, India
Could a place be more crowded? Under all the footsteps and heels, few materials can resist. Marble stone is one such material. This metro station has become a world heritage site due to its unique architecture. It has a ribbed masonry dome that brings light over its floors. Many materials work here hand in hand to create a wonderful ambiance. Polished granite, limestone, and Italian marble are some of those materials worth mentioning.
Milano Centrale, Milan
This station is the second-largest station in Italy. The first blueprints were taken off the Washington DC union station. However, Mussolini later decided to implement elements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco into the design. The station features 118,000 square feet of marble covering the floors.
Marble has proved itself as a versatile element. Marble can shine inside our homes or outside in the exterior. Moreover, many architects decide to implement marble into their public places’ designs. In the world of public transportation and subway stations, in particular, marble stone is a safe and sound choice.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/best-train-station-architecture-slideshow
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/02/million-dollar-marble-at-ground-zero-an-oculus-is-born.html
