"NAGATSINSKY ZATON" METRO STATION

This 7,956-square-meter design concept for the Nagatsinsky Zaton Metro Station was developed in 2018 as a study of how mathematical systems can reshape the visual and spatial experience of metro travel. The project explores how geometry, pattern, and proportion can make daily public transit both more engaging and more intuitive.

The station interior is conceived as a rhythmic, balanced sequence of spaces. Patterns extend across walls, floors, and ceilings to guide passengers through long corridors and create a sense of flow. These visual cues help with orientation, break the monotony typical of deep metro stations, and make movement through the space feel more dynamic and legible.

The design draws heavily on the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio, two mathematical systems found in natural growth and structure. Applying these proportions to architectural elements establishes harmony and continuity throughout the station. The geometry feels orderly and familiar, even to passengers who may not consciously recognize the mathematics behind it.

Color is used as both an aesthetic and psychological tool. Darker hues are placed strategically at distant points to visually shorten the perceived length of tunnels. This subtle optical adjustment helps long corridors feel less overwhelming and more comfortable to navigate, improving the overall passenger experience.

A key visual feature is the Sierpinski carpet, a recursive fractal pattern that repeats at different scales. Its self-similar geometry reflects the endless corridors characteristic of metro networks while also adding depth, texture, and visual interest. These patterns provide both decoration and wayfinding support, subtly guiding passengers forward.

Advanced computer modeling was used to generate the station’s complex geometries and pattern logic. This digital approach ensures precision in scaling, repetition, and spatial alignment, allowing the fractal and Fibonacci-based elements to work seamlessly within the architectural structure of the station.

The proposed palette centers on blue-green shades – petroleum, sea blue, turquoise – paired with yellow and orange accents. These contrast colors create focal points that support intuitive navigation and help differentiate platforms and circulation paths. The overall scheme reflects modern metro design while maintaining visual clarity and identity.

The project demonstrates how mathematical design and digital fabrication can redefine contemporary public transit architecture. By merging functional infrastructure with artistic expression, the concept positions the Nagatsinsky Zaton station as an example of the Moscow Metro’s ongoing shift toward innovation, passenger comfort, and forward-looking architectural language.