Next generation metro project connecting city and public space

UNS has unveiled its winning design proposal for Turin’s new Metro Line 2 in Italy. Led by architects Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, the Amsterdam-based firm redefines infrastructure as a form of public space rather than a purely functional system. The project reinterprets Turin’s urban structure and history into a contemporary mobility experience.

Exterior of San Giovanni Bosco, Turin Metro Line 2
Photo credit: Produced by HISM, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia

Reframing infrastructure as urban flow

The proposal, developed in collaboration with Settanta7, Mijksenaar, Frigorosso, 3BA, and WSP, was selected by an international jury chaired by Dominique Perrault. The jury praised the project for redefining the subway as an act of city-making, strengthening the relationship between mobility, public space, and urban context. Turin’s urban fabric is shaped by flows — from the Po and Dora rivers to its 18-kilometer-long porticoes. The design interprets this legacy as a new “urban river,” connecting neighborhoods, histories, and generations.

Mole Giardini Station.
Photo credit: Produced by HISM, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia

Carlo Alberto Station.
Photo credit: Produced by Settanta7, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia

Contemporary architecture in dialogue with heritage

Turin has evolved from an industrial city into a cultural and creative hub. The project’s key concept, “transition,” is expressed through an architectural language shifting from arches to porticoes and from curves to squares. While the exterior reflects the city’s restrained and geometric character, the interior offers a richer and warmer spatial experience. This contrast establishes a clear dialogue between tradition and contemporary design.

Carlo Alberto Station.
Photo credit: Produced by Settanta7, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia

Modular flexibility across the metro network

With a total of 32 planned stations, the design must adapt to diverse urban conditions. The first phase includes 10 stations such as Mole Giardini, San Giovanni Bosco, and Carlo Alberto. UNS developed a three-layer identity system:

• Network Identity
• System Identity
• Station Identity

This structure ensures coherence across the network while allowing each station to maintain its own character. The visual language draws from Turin’s mountains, porticoes, and water flows, expressed through a gradient palette from warm yellows to greens and blues. This identity extends beyond signage into digital platforms, communication strategies, and user interaction throughout the project lifecycle.

Stations as a new urban threshold

The metro is conceived as a continuous public experience rather than a sequence of transit spaces. At street level, it presents a clear urban presence, while underground spaces unfold as atmospheric “jewel box” interiors. The design considers the entire passenger journey—from ticket purchase to boarding—integrating digital and physical touchpoints into a seamless experience. Durable materials such as aluminum and porcelain stoneware ensure longevity, while diffused lighting enhances comfort. Terrazzo-inspired flooring and wayfinding elements bridge historical references with contemporary infrastructure. The result is a metro system that is intuitive, welcoming, and deeply connected to the identity of the city.

Mole Giardini Station interior.
Photo credit: Produced by UNS, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia

Mole Giardini Station interior.
Photo credit: Produced by HISM, ©Extraordinary Commissioner Chiaia

Ben van Berkel

Dutch architect and founder of UNS. His work spans architecture, urbanism, and infrastructure, and he is internationally recognized for his innovative design approach.

About UNS

UNS is an international architecture and design studio founded in 1988 in Amsterdam by Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos. The practice extends beyond architecture into interiors, product design, urban development, landscape, and user experience. With offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Riyadh, and Austin, UNS operates globally. The studio is known for its innovative, original, and forward-looking design approach that shapes contemporary urban environments.