Foster + Partners reveals details of Haramain rail stations

British architecture and design firm, Foster + Partners, announced that they have completed the design work for four stations on the 450 kilometer-long Haramain high-speed rail link.

The stations, connecting Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), welcomed passengers for the first time during Eid 2019.

The four stations along the route – conceived as gateways to each city – are inspired by the ancient architectural traditions of the region and provide a shaded retreat from the sun while creating a new infrastructural spine for sustainable transport in Saudi Arabia, the company statement said.

Steel columns and arches have been used throughout the stations’ architecture, connected by differently colored vaulted roofs signifying the identity of the four cities.

Small openings have also been designed within the vaulted roof and walls to draw streams of daylight to the concourse level.

“The designs of the new stations focus on passenger comfort, while building on the sense of excitement and wonder that is inextricably linked to the idea of travel," Luke Fox, head of studio at Foster + Partners, said.

“The design and construction of the four stations was carried out independent of the civil works and track installation, which was one of the major challenges that the company faced,” Fox further stated.

Each station can accommodate more than 20,000 hourly commuters, and the facilities have been designed to link with other local transport networks, including the Foster + Partners-designed Jeddah Metro.

The four stations are conceived as gateways to each city and inspired by the ancient architectural traditions of the region, providing a shaded retreat from the sun while creating a new infrastructural spine for sustainable transport in Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/t69uEz92us pic.twitter.com/3p7kbjkFh9

— Foster + Partners (@FosterPartners) June 13, 2019