a subway as an urban structure in Turin
USThe vision of the new Line 2 of the Turin Metro places the infrastructure as a visible and continuous part of Italian city. Developed with Settanta7, Mijksenaar, Frigorosso, 3BA and WSP, the proposal redefines the measure as an urban system shaped by both movement and form.
It was selected by an international jury chaired by an architect Dominique Perraultthe project was recognized for its ability to connect mobility with public space. Rather than treating the metro as a hidden layer beneath the city, the design gives it a presence at street level, allowing entrances, signage and spatial cues to participate in the wider urban fabric.
visualizations produced by HISM, Settanta7, UNS © Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia
uns leverages “flow” as a design principle
At the core of the UNS metro line proposal is an interpretation of Turin as a city defined by flow. Rivers, arcades and walkways create a continuous spatial rhythm that informs the way people move around the city. Metro Line 2 extends this status, designed as an “urban river” that carries traffic through neighborhoods while remaining legible and open.
This architects translate this idea into a restrained architectural language that shifts between arch and portico, curve and square. The geometry draws from familiar elements in Turin’s built environment — here, rational facades give way to more layered interior experiences. The subway embraces this contrast, presenting a composed exterior presence while allowing stations to develop a more distinct interior character.
a restrained design language translates arches, curves and squares into contemporary infrastructure
network-wide identity
UNS structures the metro system through three interconnected layers of identity that operate at different scales throughout Turin. Network Identity creates a unified visual language through signs, materials and communication, allowing the metro to read as a coherent system. System Identity extends this logic to the surrounding city, giving the line a consistent presence beyond the station’s boundaries.
Station Identity introduces variation, allowing each station to respond to its immediate surroundings through references to landscape, history and culture. These distinctions are reinforced through color, material and spatial detail, creating a range of recognizable environments across the line.
The brand language draws from the geography of Turin, translating mountains, water and arcades into graphic and spatial elements. A palette that shifts between ocher, green and blue carries signage, digital platforms and public communication, ensuring continuity from the moment a journey is planned to the point of arrival.
the design treats the subway as an extension of Turin’s historic flows and arcade networks
modular architecture and customization
With 32 stations planned and an initial phase of 10 stations under development across Turin, the metro planned by UNS required a system that could adapt to a variety of urban conditions. UNS responds with a modular approach that allows adjustments to scale and schedule while maintaining a consistent architectural logic.
Stations such as the Mole Giardini, San Giovanni Bosco and Carlo Alberto are seen as variations on a common framework. Proportions are shifted to accommodate site constraints, while materials and structural elements remain aligned with the overall system. This approach ensures that the metro can develop over time without losing coherence, even as it moves through different parts of Turin.
Below ground, the subway is illuminated by diffused lighting, softening the subterranean atmosphere. Meanwhile, aluminum and porcelain surfaces add durability and reflectivity. Terrazzo-inspired flooring introduces texture and continuity and connects movement to platforms and circulation areas.
three levels of identity structure the network system and station experience across the line
a modular system allows stations to be adapted to different locations
