EMBT Completes Naples Metro Station Featuring Vaulted Timber Canopy
Spanish studio EMBT integrates natural materials into Naples' modernist business district via timber.
1Modernist District Transformation
Spanish architecture studio EMBT has completed the Naples Underground Central Station within the Centro Direzionale. This business district, originally designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange in the 1970s, is known for its rigid, modernist skyscrapers. The new station replaces an understated entrance with a public plaza, aiming to integrate the site into Naples.
2Curvilinear Timber Canopy
The station features a 10,000-square-metre wavy roof constructed from glue-laminated timber arches and beams. Benedetta Tagliabue designed this canopy to counteract the artificial feel of the surrounding reflective glass and concrete buildings. The structure is partially supported by existing concrete elements, creating a warm, textured environment that contrasts with the district's cold aesthetic.
3Forest-Inspired Design Language
Branching columns and arched supports were specifically designed to evoke the sensation of walking through a forest. This architectural choice references the vaulted roofs of historic railway stations while providing a welcoming atmosphere for commuters. The timber roof follows the geometry of the tracks below, making the subterranean infrastructure visible from the surface level.
4Local Material Integration
The station floor is finished with local Etna and Trani limestone, reinforcing the connection to the regional landscape. By introducing natural materials like wood and stone, the architects sought to provide a sense of home within the urban environment. This approach aims to humanize the daily experience of catching a train in Naples.
5Pompeian Aesthetic References
Below ground, the station platforms are lined with striped panels in bold shades of red, orange, and yellow. These colors are directly informed by historic Pompeian frescoes, adding a layer of local cultural history. The design incorporates these vibrant hues to create unexpected visual encounters for passengers traveling through the transit hub.
6Public Plaza Connectivity
The vaulted canopy extends beyond the ticket barriers to shelter the surrounding paved plaza on both sides. To the north, the plaza faces a church, while the southern side incorporates new planting areas. This layout encourages public interaction, effectively bridging the gap between the transit infrastructure and the existing urban fabric of Naples.
7Contextual Architectural Precedents
The Naples metro project is part of a broader trend of artistic station design, including works by Anish Kapoor and AL_A. Similar global projects, such as the mirrored Qasr AlHokm Metro Station in Saudi Arabia by Snøhetta, demonstrate a shift toward prioritizing aesthetic and cultural identity in modern public transport infrastructure and urban transit hubs.
8Recognition and Future Impact
The project is currently shortlisted in the Infrastructure and transport category of the Dezeen Awards 2026. By successfully blending modern transit needs with natural materials and historical references, EMBT has created a model for urban renewal. The station stands as a significant intervention in a previously disconnected and artificial business district environment.
Original article: Dezeen — EMBT Completes Naples Metro Station Featuring Vaulted Timber Canopy