Selected Winning Design Ideas for 'Wirye Line Tram' Station Canopy

Eco-friendly New Transit Project Connecting Macheon Station to Bokjeong Station via Tram, Total Length 5.4 km, 12 Stations Constructed

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 17th the winning entries of the canopy design idea contest for the Wirye Line tram (streetcar), the first tram line to be constructed in the city, and stated that it plans to proceed with detailed design through expert consultation and discussions based on the selected works.

The Wirye Line (tram) urban railway is an eco-friendly new transportation project connecting Macheon Station (Line 5) to Bokjeong Station (Line 8, Suin-Bundang Line) and Namwirye Station (branch line) by streetcar to alleviate traffic congestion and improve public transportation convenience in Wirye New Town, a large-scale new town located south of Songpa-gu in southeastern Seoul. The total length is 5.4 km, with 12 stations (including 4 transfer stations) to be constructed.

Unlike underground station entrances covered by urban railway canopies, streetcar stations are open without entrances on the ground, making the canopy extremely important as it determines the overall function and aesthetics of the station. This contest was organized to enhance the surrounding environment and urban aesthetics of the planned Wirye Line station sites in the Songpa-gu Wirye New Town area.

Among the 21 entries submitted from the 6th to the 9th, six works including the grand prize, excellence awards, and merit awards were selected by a judging panel composed of five internal and external experts.

The grand prize winner, ‘Kim Jinhwa,’ with the design titled ‘Flowing Stay,’ was highly evaluated by the judges for its flexible curved form that breaks away from the rigid shapes of existing stations and allows for various modifications reflecting the regional characteristics of each station.

Lee Jeong-hwa, head of Seoul City’s Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, said, “The Wirye Line tram stations will serve not only as functional transportation facilities but also as beautiful and attractive urban design symbols that enhance the urban aesthetics of Wirye New Town.”