Lighting for the 8 New West Metro Stations
The West Metro in the Helsinki metropolitan area opened in autumn 2017, extending Helsinki’s metro network to the Espoo region. The lighting project encompassed eight new metro stations. Each station’s design emphasizes elements from its surrounding area.
The objective of the lighting project was to establish distinct identities for each station, transforming them into easily recognizable and accessible public spaces where passengers and commuters feel comfortable and secure.
Information
Honorable Mention, LIT Lighting Design Awards 2019
Winner of the design competition, Valossa – Centenary of Independence Design Competition 2016
Type Facade Lighting
Location Helsinki
Completion Year 2017
Client Senaatti Properties
The identity of each station was established by selecting an element characteristic of its surrounding environment – such as water and sea, ice and snow, red sand, or foliage – and utilizing illuminated surfaces and integrated lighting to reflect these elements. The spatial experience was a crucial factor in conceptualizing the various themes.
The fundamental approach for each station involved reimagining general lighting through architectural integration. Transparent walls were backlit, and general lighting fixtures were concealed within the architectural structures. As the lighting is in continuous operation at the stations, maintenance-free performance was crucial for integrated installations, which incorporated solutions for easy accessibility.
Safety and comfort were paramount in the station design, with human-centered design principles applied to the lighting: the illumination adapts to our daily rhythm and enhances concentration. In the West Metro, this was achieved using adaptable DMX and DALI systems, which allow the light intensity to be adjusted according to daylight levels and reduce visual contrast when transitioning from indoor to outdoor spaces. This ensures the lighting adapts to the internal circadian rhythm.
Client: Länsimetro Oy
Lighting Design: VALOA design Oy
Architects: CJN Arkkitehdit Oy, Helin & Co, ALA-architects and Esa Piironen, HKP Arkkitehdit, APRT Arkkitehdit
Electrical Design: Tauno Nissinen Ltd, Sweco
Station Light Art: Tommi Grönlund and Petteri Nissinen (Keilaniemi), Lighting Design Collective (Lauttasaari)
