Nanchang East Station,
design: gmp Architekten
A new railroad station - Nanchang East Station- has been built in Nanchang, a rapidly developing city in China, located on the Gan Jiang River. The project was designed by German architectural firm gmp Architekten, which has previously completed three major high-speed rail station projects in China: Tianjin West Station, Hangzhou South Station and Fengtai Station in Beijing.
project cooperation
and the station's role in the new district
The station was designed in collaboration with Chinese engineering survey and design firm China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group (T4) and architectural firm Shanghai United Design Group (UDG). The station is a key component of a new district in the eastern part of the city, with planned offices for startups, stores, cultural spaces, creative zones and residential buildings.
Nanchang East Station - interior view
photo CreatAR © gmp Architekten
functionality and importance of the station
in the national transportation network
The facility, which has a floor area of about 100,000 square meters, has eight platforms and sixteen tracks. As an important part of China's rapidly growing high-speed rail network, the station serves as a central transportation hub, providing connections to Beijing in the north, Hong Kong in the south, as well as Kunming and Shanghai. It also serves as the starting point for a new route leading to the Huang Shan mountain region.
rhythmic façade
with a distinct accent
The façade of the main entrance is distinguished by a rhythmic arcade supported by columns. The upper floors have semicircular glazing, ending in arches. The first row of arches, on the east and west sides of the roof, uses a shortening of these elements in the middle to expose the main entrance.
Nanchang East Station - a bird's-eye view of the steel roof structure
photo CreatAR © gmp Architekten
functional layout of the station
The station consists of four levels - two underground and two above ground. The lower part of the building includes concrete foundations and spaces leading to the entrances. The upper part of the building houses the main lobby, which connects the various functions of the station, including retail and dining spaces, cab stands and subway stations.
design and spaciousness
Nanchang station
The hall, on a rectangular plan with three bays, was covered by a steel roof structure, consisting of arch trusses with variable spans and arranged in a dozen rows. The roof was additionally supported by prestressed cables, which made it possible to achieve a spacious interior, devoid of columns. The span of the side spans is 45 meters, while the central part of the station was covered by arches with a span of 96 meters, creating a spacious main hall. The prefabrication of the arch trusses directly on the construction site and their installation made it possible to significantly shorten the construction time.
Nanchang East Railway Station - projection
© gmp Architekten
inspiration from gmp Architekten
The architectural design draws on traditional Chinese aesthetics, combining modern forms with references to nature. Dynamic arches allude to the silhouette of a heron in flight, while curved interior forms recall the shape of flower petals. The design is inspired by the jasmine gardenia, which blooms in Nangchen and is a symbol of prosperity and blessing in Chinese culture.
A model TOD project in China
Nanchang East Station is an example of a project that implements the principles of TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) in Chinese urban planning. TOD, or transit-oriented development, maximizes the use of space around transportation hubs, integrating residential, office, retail and recreational functions. This type of approach supports sustainable development and promotes pedestrian and bicycle mobility.
Nanchang East Station - interior view
photo by CreatAR © gmp Architekten
modern transportation solution
For Nanchang's approximately five million residents, the station represents a new key transportation hub in the eastern part of the city. The project is based on the Ground Traffic Center (GTC) model, an integrated transportation center that brings together different modes of transportation in one place, allowing passengers to transfer conveniently and efficiently.
Nanchang East Station - longitudinal cross section
© gmp Architekten
The facility provides convenient access for pedestrians and public transportation, and connections to the high-speed rail network enable fast travel between China's major cities. This type of infrastructure supports the daily commute of employees of companies located nearby, making it easier for them to travel from more distant locations.
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Illustrations provided courtesy of gmp Architekten.
