The Metro Hangar at Naples Airport

The Capodichino station of the Naples subway system takes another decisive step towards the completion of the works with the completion, on April 19th, of its metal covering. Attending the final launch were the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, accompanied by the councilor responsible for Infrastructure, Mobility, and Civil Protection of the Municipality of Naples, Edoardo Cosenza, the president of Naples Metro, and the managers of the Naples subway lines contracts for Webuild.

The Capodichino station, which will connect the subway from the city center to its airport in about 9 minutes, is among the 14 already built by the Webuild Group in the city of Naples, including some of the most iconic Art stations, such as the award-winning Toledo.

As the “last mile” and terminus of Line 1, which currently operates 18 kilometers of track with 19 stations, Capodichino is at the center of an extension plan by Naples Metro S.p.A. and the Municipality of Naples, which includes a total of 4 stations and 3 kilometers of track. Webuild, in consortium with Moccia Irme, is a key player in the construction of this prestigious and futuristic terminal. The entire route will make Naples one of the first cities in the world to have a rail line directly connecting three major urban mobility hubs: port, airport, and railway network, including high-speed rail.

While men and machinery were at work to launch the last piece of the metal cover of the station, which is 8 meters high from the road surface, 65×53 meters in size, and weighing 450 tons, the image that emerged was that of a hangar with tubular profiles resembling a large steel spider web with a plant of 57 meters by 50. Here, on the surface and a few meters from the entrances of the airport terminals, the subway station emerges with spiral stairs leading underground, 50 meters deep, where the train platforms are located.

The station recalls the famous St. Patrick’s Well, inspired by the English studio RSHP, which designed the project: a huge cylinder that extends below the surface, designed so that external light can reach even the greatest depths. The circular part of the well has a diameter of about 33 meters and a single open space with 8 central elevators and four spiral staircases that run along the walls. The elevators, custom-designed for the station, are the first in Italy to be built with the highest degree of seismicity.

A common thread connects the stations of Line 1 in Naples. It’s the thread of beauty and art, drawn over the years following the projects of major architectural firms accompanied by the best engineering excellence. While the downtown stations are known as the  art stations, often accompanied by exceptional  archaeological findings, Capodichino represents the expression of beauty combined with modernity. The construction of this station has always focused on the theme of sustainability. For example, during excavations, a plan for reusing the soil was implemented, allowing over 200,000 cubic meters of soil to be used in former tuff quarries located in the heart of the city. The goal is to close the quarries and redevelop the area once and for all.

This is the essence of a project that is experiencing a special phase of its construction. After the launch on April 19th, the work is continuing with a next horizon aimed at summer, when the cladding of the entire roof with prefabricated blocks and glass fixtures will also be completed, allowing the station to be illuminated using natural light to the fullest extent, which will take on colors, directions, and dimensions depending on the different phases of the day, creating games and lighting effects. Another step forward in view of completing a project that will change the way Naples is experienced.