The Waffle Station
The waffle-like ceilings caught my attention as I hurried through the station. The exposed concrete wall coupled with the modern and elegant floor finish highlighted the effort that was put into creating this masterpiece of a station. A number of questions began to flood my mind. When was this structure built? Who was the architect? Why did he choose this design?
The stunning waffle-shaped wall was designed by Harry Weese & Associates. The first Waffle-style stations opened with the first segment of Metro in 1976. The final stations to include Waffle architecture were Waterfront and Navy Yard which opened in 1991. These stations were constructed using cast-in-place concrete and proved to be more expensive than other methods. For these reasons, designs were later changed. Nevertheless, the Waffle architecture dominates in the downtown stations of DC.
The stunning waffle-shaped wall was designed by Harry Weese & Associates.
The waffle-shaped ceiling design in Washington D.C. metro stations was meant to enhance acoustics and lighting. The concrete waffle pattern diffuses and reflects light, resulting in improved visibility and reduced reliance on artificial lighting. Despite this design, poor lighting still persists in many metro stations, requiring the installation of additional lights. Nonetheless, the flashing ground lights create a breathtaking ambiance as trains approach the platform, making it an enjoyable experience to simply admire the ceiling while waiting for the train, instead of sitting down to read or work.
Additionally, the waffle pattern helps to reduce the echo in the stations thus making it easier for passengers to hear announcements and for train operators to communicate with passengers. The design works to reduce sound reverberation by breaking up the surface of the ceiling into a pattern of ridges and valleys. This helps to scatter sound waves in multiple directions, reducing the amount of sound energy that reflects back into the space and causing echoes.The overall effect of the design is to create a more acoustically balanced environment in the metro stations.
Despite this design, poor lighting still persists in many metro stations, requiring the installation of additional lights.
I never thought I would find beauty in the design of something as mundane as a metro station, yet it allowed me to appreciate the thought and effort put into constructing such a masterpiece.
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