Intermodal Transit Hub: Improving the Transfer Environment at the Li Shui Bridge Transportation Node in Beijing

Abstract

Recently Beijing has become the most important transportation hub in China and in the East Asian region. As larger and larger population moved into the capital city, together with an enormous car growth, traffic congestion becomes a severe problem for today's Beijing. Encouraging use of public transportation is considered as the ultimate solution. Yet the city's transportation system and infrastructures leave much to be desired. Undesirable transfer experience becomes the most influential factor that impedes people from choosing public transit. This thesis will address the issue of undesirable transfer environment in Beijing's transportation nodes. Through design of a new intermodal transit hub for the Li Shui Bridge Station, the goal is to explore architectural solutions to provide efficient and seamless transfer between different transportation modes, comfortable experience with other amenities during transfer, and finally, a lively sustainable public place to benefit the neighborhood. The design concept of a climbing green "spiral" is indicated by the two existing subway structures. The at-grade structure of Line 5 and the elevated structure of Line 13 form a perpendicular spatial relationship and tendency of "climbing". A spiral of shops and other amenities is merging into the lower station, together with a large green park at the spiral roof to benefit not only the commuters, but also the surrounding community.