Napoli Afragola station was conceived of under a wider plan calling for 13 new stations at various sections along Italy's existing high-speed rail network.[2] Designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid, Afragola station, nicknamed the ‘Gateway to the South’, is considered a major transport hub and regional gateway for Naples,[2] operating as a major rail interchange for Italy's southern region, serving four individual high-speed lines, three inter-regional lines, and a single local commuter route.
Construction
Italian state railway operator Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) developed the station.[3] In 2003, a contract was awarded to architect Zaha Hadid Architects for the station design.[2] On 4 November 2003, Zaha Hadid formally presented the design, then projected to open in 2009. The project was delayed in part due to budgetary shortfalls.[3] At one stage, RFI had awarded the €59.5 million contract for the station's construction to a consortium, but subsequent disputes over the price caused RFI to reissue its call for offers.[4] Construction activity was stop-and-go through early 2015. In February 2015, a new construction contract was awarded to the multinational construction firm Astaldi.[3]
From its inception the building was envisioned as a bridge over its four tracks, with four levels and a maximum height of 25 metres (82ft). Accommodating the station's concourse, the bridge has an area of 20,000 square metres (220,000sqft), as well as provision for an additional 10,000 square metres (110,000sqft).[4][5][2] Placing the concourse directly above each platform minimizes passenger walking, without prioritizing the communities at one end of the station over the other.[2]
The station design responds to its adjacent business park and landscape, to encourage further nearby development.[3] The four-level station incorporates public amenities, retail outlets, and waiting areas while remaining spacious and open; the space above the main waiting area accommodates restaurants, bars and stores, as well as a bus station and 1,400 parking spaces.
The exterior features large glass panels forming winding shapes, described as evoking a moving train.[3]
To adapt the station to its context, it includes views of the nearby Mount Vesuvius.[2] The design addressed seismic requirements by dividing the building into zones no greater in length than 50 metres; enabling the sections to move individually in a seismic event.[2]
Considerable attention was paid to the station's overall environmental design, which was developed by engineering practice Max Fordham.[2] Reportedly, a key objective of the structure was to have minimised energy consumption, favour passive operations over active interventions, and as little environmental impact as possible, in both the construction and operational phases. One major example of this design attention is the glazed roof, which features internal shading and acoustic baffles, limiting the amount of direct sunlight and glare on the concourse as well directing excess heat away via purpose-built roof vents; this enabled natural ventilation practices to be used under normal conditions.[2] While mechanical ventilation systems are also present in the building, such as the roof-level extractor fans, these are intended to be used only during the extremes of summer and winter. Wherever realistically possible, passive means of environmental regulation were used.[2] This includes cooling with ground water. Benches are actively cooled for comfort.
The active tracks, especially those of the Rome-Naples high-speed line, also presented challenges in both the planning and construction processes, although the speeds on these lines were limited to 160km/h (100mph) while traversing the construction area.[2] During the construction phase, the presence of the operating high-speed lines split the site into two separate and somewhat disconnected zones; materials and equipment had to be transported between either side via an existing ring road, while an existing underpass served as a pedestrian crossing for workers.[2] In order to protect the high speed line from potential disruption during the work, a temporary roof structure composed of steel elements and a metal sheet topping, was set up around it. The building of scaffolding decks, overpass beams and other elements of the upper levels of the station, had to be built with consideration for the operational electrification system of the running lines, somewhat complicating the work.[2]
The curved structural elements of the station building were constructed using technologies developed and previously deployed by the architecture firm.[2] These were formed primarily of concrete, which had been supported and shaped by prefabricated steel units combined with temporary moulds created by CNC-milling, allowing for complex shapes, durability and strength. Building Information Modelling (BIM) was adopted as a support tool, while 3D modeling proved useful for communicating process information within the technical office and with third parties.[2]
20,000 square metres of matte cladding was installed.[2] A total of 5,000 tonnes of steel were required for the scaffolding decks and curved roofs, while 200km (125 miles) of cabling and in excess of 2,000 LED lights were installed across 4,000 metres of lighting tubes, which were integrated into the steel roof beams. On a stage, there were 330 workers on site daily, peaking at 700.[2]
Opening
On 6 June 2017, five days ahead of its official opening, the first stage of Napoli Afragola was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the Italian Prime MinisterPaolo Gentiloni, who commented on its purpose: “Any great country needs great projects that are a leap forward...The new station at Afragola is the foundation of the infrastructure programme to promote economic development in the south.”[2] Since 11 June, the station has been served by 36 high-speed trains each day; of these, 18 are Frecciarossas operated by the state rail company Trenitalia and 18 are Italos by the privately owned open access company NTV.[2] These have been projected to carry a combined 10,000 passengers daily. Further services are to be added to the station, such as a planned increase to 28 trains in either direction, once additional infrastructure work in the region has been completed; phase two of the station is scheduled to be completed during 2022, to coincide with the opening of the Naples-Bari high speed line.[2]
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