The construction of the Santa Maria del Pianto station is part of the Neapolitan public transport redevelopment plan to tackle the problem of congested city streets. In addition to Rogers, Amanda Leavit, Dominique Perrault, Massimiliano Fuksas, Mario Botta and other prominent architects participate in it. While the tunnels are being laid, the construction of the pavilions should begin as soon as the state allocates funds for this. The program is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
"Santa Maria del Pianto" is the penultimate station on Line 1, the final one will open at the city's Capodichino airport, and its project is also owned by Rogers. A special feature of the first station was its location next to the 90-hectare Poggoreale cemetery: thousands of people flock there on religious holidays, so it had to be made spacious, although the usual load will be several hundred passengers a day.
A distinctive feature of the station will be the overlap of its ground part, which has the shape of a hyperbolic paraboloid. It will consist of a lattice of 2,700 thin metal plates arranged vertically in a honeycomb-like pattern. The density of the lattice will vary depending on the roof section, which will allow both to ensure the penetration of sunlight into the lobby and even to the station platform (through its 40-meter vertical shaft from there it will even be possible to see the sky), and protection from overheating and bad weather. At the same time, such a solution requires a minimum of materials. Outside, a 2300 m2 steel slab will be covered with a transparent ETFE resin layer. The calculations required for the project were performed using a special program developed at the London School of the Architectural Association.
The ground complex of the station, in addition to a lobby with ticket offices, an elevator and escalators, will include a bus station for 45 buses, underground parking for 1,500 cars, cafes and shops.
