Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has been selected to design the new Pont de Bondy station in Paris, which proposes a loop-shaped building to connect surrounding fabric of the city. For this project, BIG collaborates with French studio Silvio d'Ascia to design a new 'emblematic' station in Paris. BIG's proposal links lower and upper levels of the site by connecting with the adjacent canal across the bridge.

Société du Grand Paris (SGP) has appointed the architectural firms to design the 10 stations Line 15 East and the Pont de Bondy station is located along Line 15, a ring line that passes through suburban Paris. Now, 37 teams of architects submitted their proposals for the majority of stations and technical centers of the Grand Paris Express. Some markets are still ongoing award.

Image © Agence Miralles Tagliabue EMBT - Société du Grand Paris / Gare Clichy-Montfermeil (line 16) by Agence Miralles Tagliabue EMBT with Bordas + Peiro Architecte

The Grand Paris Express project includes 200 kilometers of new lines. But, a total of 68 stations has been labeled as 'emblematic' and will be designed by 37 contemporary architects, representing a unique public control level. 

"The new subway will contribute to the construction of metropolitan heritage of the 21st century" has been emphasized Philippe Yvin, CEO of the Société du Grand Paris, on the occasion of the appointment of the designers of the 10 stations on the line 15 East. With the exception of the technical center of Rosny-sous-Bois and Orly airport stations and Charles de Gaulle airport T4, all stations and centers of the Grand Paris Express will enter service before 2030. 

Image © Jean-Marie Duthilleul - Société du Grand Paris / Gare Noisy - Champs (line 15 South) by Agence Duthilleul and Arep

The designers of the new metro stations, including BIG, Kengo Kuma & Associates, Dominique Perrault, Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue (EMBT) and Bordas+Peiro, Agence Duthilleul, and Elizabeth de Portzamparc, suggested original and creative projects, listening to the geographical, urban and social environment in which the stations will take hold. 

On the basis of common guidelines developed by the architect Jacques Ferrier, each team uses its vision to meet the requirements of the Société du Grand Paris: valuing the station as a public facility anchored in his neighborhood, invent spaces shared public, revealing the heritage features of Commons and put future network users at the center of attention.

Image © Dominique Perrault Architecture - Société du Grand Paris / Station Villejuif Institut Gustave-Roussy (lines 14 and 15 South) by Dominique Perrault Architecture

''Significant urban projects will emerge along this transport route: new neighborhoods with an array of features including housing, economic activities, university centers and cultural facilities – especially around the strategic, structural points provided by the stations,'' explains the Société du Grand Paris. ''The idea is to enable business clusters to take root while rebalancing the paris region, opening it up to its more remote, isolated areas.''

Image © Kengo Kuma & Associates - Société du Grand Paris / Gare Saint-Denis Pleyel (lines 15, 16 and 17) by Kengo Kuma & Associates

Image © Elizabeth de Portzamparc - Société du Grand Paris / Le Bourget RER station (lines 16 and 17) by Elizabeth de Portzamparc

Besides, the Société du Grand Paris commissioned six further architects for the designs of 10 stations on Line 15, including Grimshaw, Bordas + Peiro, Atelier d'Architecture Brenac-Gonzalez, SCAPE, Vezzoni & Associés and Explorations Architecture.

Map of 9 lines. Courtesy of Grand Paris Express

Top image © BIG - Silvio d'Ascia - Société du Grand Paris / Gare Pont de Bondy, (line 15 East) par BIG et Silvio d'Ascia

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