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Rennes, France

Rennes is one of the smallest cities in France to have a subway. In 2013, 11 years after the opening of the first line, in order to improve the circulation in the city, the works for a second subway line began. Cesson’s subway station is the temporary end of the line B, and the first station of the new eco city being developed «Via silva». The station is implanted on a place that we wanted to clear as much as possible. The station is built on sort of bridge at 9 meters above the ground and has an ovoid shape that is connected to all the corners of the public place.

Cesson’s subway stop is made of an inox weaved stitch, that wraps around the bridge. The construction is carried by 4 pillars covered by « Solid surface ». These pillars are animated by black lifted patterns – quite influenced by vegetal elements – that produce a special effect: it seems like the station is recharging by night. Thanks to the beam system, the station is free on all its length; the ticket room, the platforms and the circulation spaces are compressed and juxtaposed. To inox and glass – the materials we chose for this equipment – we decided to associate wood (oak). As Beaulieu’s station (that we also have drawn), oak is essentially used to cover the under- sides of the station. Naturally, it’s kind of rewarms and soothes the whole construction. If wood can produce sound traps that muffle or even absorb almost every noise next to the platforms, it certainly gives a feeling of intimacy and heat in a place you expect to be noisy. To bring in some comfort, direct light shafts have been favored on the platforms.

Given its situation, the project (that started in 2015 and will be completed in 2020) works as a gazebo that offers a lot of point of view on the surrounding landscapes and the future natural paths that will be set later the site.