UNStudio partners with Hardt Hyperloop and presents its vision for the Station of the Future.
The UNStudio Futures Team (UNSFutures) recently announced plans for a 'Station of the Future' at the first edition of HyperSummit. Organized by Hardt Hyperloop, the summit took place in Utrecht, Netherlands focusing on urgency, research, and collaboration to realize a European hyperloop.

The proposed hyperloop will run from Amsterdam to Frankfurt in 53 minutes. Using technology powered by solar panels, hyperloop will produce no sound or environmental emissions and can provide the necessary energy to power itself. It will be the first ever 100% electric transport system that can safely transport a high volume of passengers from city to city at unprecedented speeds and journey times.
 
Ben van Berkel, Principal Architect and Founder of UNStudio and UNSense: ‘The hyperloop is not only a realistic and viable alternative to flying, it is going to revolutionise travel. It will provide extremely fast travel times with direct connections between cities, enabling completely new ways of working and spending our leisure time, which in turn will lead to a multitude of economic, environmental and knowledge exchange benefits.’

The station has been envisioned as a series of tessellating components which can adapt to a range of possible contexts: city-centre, edge of city or adjoining an existing infrastructure hub, such as an airport. Existing cities mean existing parameters, and UNStudio envisages a symbiotic relationship with its local environment: an integrated piece of an urban composition.


Modularity and connectivity at all scales

Commitment to connected modularity is at the core of the hyperloop system. It's what makes the system scalable, adaptable and resilient; able to adapt its service in real time, according to demand throughout the day. The route itself will be modular: comprised of both a super-high-speed network and more regional networks, which will connect urban areas and important hubs (such as ports and airports) to the ultra-high-speed network.

This modular thinking extends throughout the system, from tracks to vehicles and also forms the basis of UNStudio’s vision for the hyperloop stations. From platforms to functional spaces and to the roof which extends out over the transfer hubs, a modular design framework organises and connects all parts.

The modular system upon which the design is based enables the station to adapt to existing conditions, blending into the existing built fabric. It also allows us to integrate above and underground, growing modules up to meet a dense inner city neighbourhood, or down to blend with a more low-rise setting.

Once inside the station, the speed of the hyperloop vehicles allows platforms to be curved rather than orthogonal, bringing an inviting organic form to soften the geometry of the module. Each module can hold a different function, from the purely pragmatic luggage check-in or bicycle dock, to daycare for busy parents or small biophilic pocket parks for kids and adults alike. In this way the modular strategy allows the functional and the activity-based elements to overlap and interrelate, creating spaces to meet, explore and play.

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UNStudio, founded in 1988 by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, is a Dutch architectural design studio specialising in architecture, interior architecture, product design, urban development and infrastructural projects. The name, UNStudio, stands for United Network Studio referring to the collaborative nature of the practice.

Throughout 30 years of international project experience, UNStudio has continually expanded its capabilities through prolonged collaboration with an extended network of international consultants, partners, and advisors across the globe. This network, combined with the centrally located offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Frankfurt, enables UNStudio to work efficiently anywhere in the world. With already 120 built projects in Asia, Europe, and North America, the studio continues to expand its global presence with recent commissions in among others China, South-Korea, Qatar, Germany and the UK.

As a network practice, a highly flexible methodological approach has been developed which incorporates parametric designing and collaborations with leading specialists in other disciplines. The office has worked internationally since its inception and has produced a wide range of work ranging from public buildings, infrastructure, offices, residential, products, to urban masterplans.

Current projects include the design for Doha's Integrated Metro Network in Qatar, the mixed-use FOUR development in Frankfurt, the wasl Tower in Dubai and the Southbank by Beulah development in Melbourne. Pivotal realised projects include the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Arnhem Central Station, Raffles City Hangzhou in China, the Mobius House in the Netherlands and the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. UNStudio has received many awards, the last ones being Red Dot Award product design (2013), Media Architecture Award (2012), National Steel Prize (2012) and 28th International Lighting Design Awards Collector’s Loft (2012).

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Published on: September 17, 2018
Cite: "New European hyperloop revolutionising public transport. From Amsterdam to Frankfurt in 53 minutes" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/new-european-hyperloop-revolutionising-public-transport-amsterdam-frankfurt-53-minutes> ISSN 1139-6415
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