Led by Academician Cheng Taining, the Hangzhou West Station Hub Complex, designed by China Railway Fourth Academy and Architectural Design Joint Venture, officially opened on September 22, 2022. This project represents the latest application of the station-city integration concept tailored to China’s national context. The West Station Hub Complex offers an innovative station city space that blends the Jiangnan cultural charm with a futuristic vision through multi-dimensional integrated transportation planning and comprehensive development.
The Hangzhou West Railway Station covers approximately 100,000 square meters and features 11 units and 20 tracks. It employs a “vertical” layout, where passengers primarily wait in the elevated waiting hall, supplemented by a quick access hall at ground level. The design concept revolves around “cloud,” introducing elements such as “cloud valley,” “cloud hall,” and “cloud gate” to symbolize this theme. This not only reflects Hangzhou’s unique landscape of “three sides of cloud mountains and one river embracing the city” but also represents the technological spirit of the West City Science and Technology Innovation Corridor.
Notably, the West Station Hub is home to China’s first development project featuring a canopy built above a new high-speed railway mainline, setting a “Hangzhou” model for intensive land use in high-speed rail construction.
Yungu – An Efficient Central Transfer System
Hangzhou West Station innovatively utilizes the space opened by the station yard to create a 28-meter-wide entrance corridor, transforming the traditional dual-end station entry into a centralized central entrance. Passengers arriving via various transfer modes converge at the center of Yungu, from where they ascend directly to the waiting level via dedicated escalators.
The arched glass dome skylight allows natural sunlight to flood the space, reaching down to the subway level. This abundant natural light not only brightens the interior and makes it feel transparent but also guides passengers smoothly into the station. Compared to traditional entry methods, this design reduces passenger entry time by over 50%, significantly boosting efficiency.
The upgraded waiting experience in the “cloud hall” departs from the monotonous indoor atmosphere typical of traditional waiting rooms. Combining elements inspired by high-speed rail and technological cloud cities, the design creates a warm and inviting environment for passengers.
Sunlight filters through the cross-shaped skylight glass, softened by a shading film, illuminating the waiting hall with gentle, diffused light. This natural lighting makes the space feel airy and cloud-like. Furthermore, the design team employed computer simulations to divide lighting into zones and integrate artificial lighting with natural light, ensuring an energy-efficient, well-lit environment that enhances passenger comfort.
Cloud Gate – A New Urban Landmark
The “Cloud Gate” is a dynamic urban space that innovatively integrates dispersed urban functions into a three-dimensional station square. As a vital part of the West Station Hub Complex, it incorporates offices, retail, dining, conference facilities, and diverse public spaces including walking trails and elevated landscape platforms.
Cloud Gate seamlessly connects the station building with surrounding high-rise offices, podium commercial areas, and leisure developments. It serves as a vital link between the station and the city, fostering integration between transit infrastructure and urban life.
Covering the Canopy – Innovative Vertical Development
The three-dimensional development model of the waiting hall includes a dedicated passage for direct access to the canopy via the travel service interlayer. The proximity between the canopy development and the station allows for an exceptionally thick canopy design.
Unlike traditional railway stations where comprehensive development occurs horizontally, Hangzhou West Station introduces offices, commercial spaces, and hotels atop the canopy. Through a pioneering layered property rights system, the station building and commercial development are vertically integrated, earning the first “three-dimensional real estate ownership certificate for above-ground space construction land” in Zhejiang Province.
With the completion of the Hangzhou West Railway Station Hub Complex, a future-oriented cityscape has emerged. As a landmark example of station-city integrated development, it pioneers new approaches in China to unify transit hubs with urban growth.
This project will serve as Hangzhou’s gateway image to the Yangtze River Delta region, the nation, and the world. Additionally, as a key supporting facility for the Hangzhou Asian Games, it plays an essential role in advancing Hangzhou’s international profile.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Negative Second Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Fourth Floor Plan
△ Fifth Floor Plan
Top Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Architectural Landscape Design
Area: 513,420 m²
Project Year: 2022
Photographers: Aoguan Architectural Vision, Hangzhou West Station Hub Development Co., Ltd.
Manufacturers: Xinyi Glass Holdings Co., Ltd., Tianjin North Glass, Guangdong Jianyijia, Guangdong Jianlang, Jiangsu Changqing Aideli Decoration Materials Co., Ltd., Hebei Zhengbangyuan Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd., Ferrari Technology Textile Industry Group, AkzoNobel
Architectural Design Team: Yu Chen, Yin Jiandong, Guo Lei, Jin Zhiyang, Yan Yanzhou, Qi Dongbing, Chen Liguo, Zhu Difeng, Yang Shiqing, Li Zhao, Gu Chenxi, Jiang Chang, Fang Yang, Liu Xinyi, Liu Xin, Wang Menglin, Ding Qi, Hu Bo, Ruan Ke, Sun Chao, Song Ziyu, Zhou Shengyao, Wei Ruihuan, Qian Xiangjun, Chen Haote, Zhang Haonan, Jiang Lihua, Xie Jiahao, Lin Xinyi, Guan Enping; Sheng Hui, Luo Hanbin, Liu Junshan, Li Li, Wang Min, Yang Zhihong, Zhou Yang, Yin Wei, Liang Dong, Tang Lingrong, Li Bai, Liu Xiaoqing, Zhang Hongzheng (China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.)
Structural Design Team: Yang Xuchen, Zhou Rong, Sun Huilang, Wu Jianle, Liu Chuanmei, Feng Ziqiang, Tang Wei, Zhu Wei, Zhu Bei, Wang Fang, Jia Yingying, Wang Xin, Lv Yan, Zhang Ming, Zhao Youqing; Li Jingxue, Shen Lei, Wu Kui, Liu Qiao, Lv Lei, Hu Jian, Dong Yingqi (China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.)
HVAC Design Team: Pan Jun, Yu Kun, He Peifeng, Yin Changyu, Yao Zhuxian; Guo Xuhui, Wang Jinqiao, Zhou Xiang, Li Liang, Huang Lijuan (China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.)
Water Supply and Drainage Design: Ji Diange, Cui Song, Zhang Haibo, Yang Yingchun, Ge Yaoyao; Jiang Jinhui, Liu Chao (China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.)
Electrical Design: Li Pengzhan, Tang Lin, Xu Bingyuan, Wang Xiao, Zhang Yan, Shao Xiaowei, Zhang Geng; Chen Kai, Li Shifeng (China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd.)
Information Design: Yuan Li, Wang Jing
Mechanical Design: Zhang Kun, Wang Yuliang
Station Design: Kou Junchao
Principals: Hu Hang Railway Co., Ltd., Hangzhou West Station Hub Development Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Metro Group Co., Ltd., Shanghai Kunming Railway Passenger Dedicated Line Zhejiang Co., Ltd. (construction agency), Hangzhou Shangtie West Station Hub Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.
Construction Contractor: China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd
Location: Hangzhou
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