|
|
| *Travel Tips>>>Washington, D.C. Travel Tips |
D.C. Metro station design...? |
Travel Info Is there a specific reason for the underground stations of the Washington D.C. Metro to have a dome and honey-comb like structure? I find it kind of odd. I think it would be more expensive. Travel Tips They don't all actually have that, just the "biggies." And the reason for it is that -if solid concrete slabs were to be used, the material would be more expensive and its own weight would add to the crushing force. And so, a system of cells is used, giving that honey-comb appearance. The strength-per-weight ratio is better. In the smaller stations, your basic concrete arch works just fine. There may also be a slight (very slight) deadening of sound from this baffle effect, but its not intentional -the system operators WANT you to hear that puppy coming down the tracks for safety's sake. Sound is otherwise controlled with a system of acoustic absorbing panels tucked in the cells here and there, and lower level ceilings with holes in them that look sort of like old fashioned acoustical tiles in your 1950's rec room. Psychology is actually a part of the design, and "quiet" is a part of that psychology. Somewhat dim and indirect lighting and controlled noise have a presumed calming effect on the riders. This also supports a sense of smooth efficiency, an ambience that designers wanted to convey in the nation's capitol. The loudest thing I ever heard in the system was a station manager shouting at a rider to turn OFF his God**** boom box -and the applause that followed. And, while the DC system is impressive, the massive architecture is pretty utilitarian, compared to some. Try the Moscow or Paris systems if you want to see some real interesting stuff -and old, too. Others Well, the dome is structurally the soundest way to build for support and the honeycomb feature is to dampen sound in the tunnels. It is built that way to make room for the sound absorbing boards that are placed inside the honeycombs and it also allows for better air flow. Good eyes dude, too many people that live there are like sheep. Keep it up. It gives the feeling of having more room. Like you are not crowded underground. When Metro was first conceived in the 1960s, it was designed to be a luxury for those commuting to and from DC. As a result, DC commuters received carpeted trains, huge modern architected stations both underground and above ground and expensive artwork like Paris or New York. |
| Tags |
| San Diego San Francisco San Jose Seattle St. Louis Washington, D.C. General - United States Aberdeen Belfast Birmingham Brighton |
Travel Info Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |