MAD & Solar Glass Unveils The Enchanting "Forest Train Station" in Jiaxing

Jiaxing Train Station, nestled in the heart of the southern lake district in the old city center of Jiaxing, faced challenges such as insufficient waiting capacity, outdated facilities and urban disconnect. The station, covering a mere 4000 square meters, embarked on a significant transformation as part of Jiaxing's "Centennial Century" major project. The renovation aimed at enhancing the entire area, incorporating cutting-edge CdTe Solar Glass technologies to create a vibrant, eco-friendly and interconnected urban public space.

Transformation of the former

After transformation

>>>MAD's Vision for Jiaxing Train Station:

MAD(MAD Studio, is an architecture firm located in Beijing), led by Ma Yansong, envisioned a comprehensive revitalization of the Jiaxing Train Station area, transforming it into a "Forest Train Station" – a space that seamlessly integrates daily life, openness, greenery and human-centric design. The project included the expansion and renovation of the station yard and building, upgrading the People's Park and revitalizing the Xuangong Alley area.

>>>Innovative Building Photovoltaic Integration:

The highlight of this transformation lies in the application of 12,000 pieces of high-efficiency Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar glass on the station's rooftops, generating approximately 1.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – a sustainable initiative equivalent to reducing around 1000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The CdTe solar glass materials are seamlessly integrated into the architectural design, contributing to the station's aesthetic appeal while harnessing clean energy. Not only is it known as a "train station in the forest", it is also a "green" train station that generates electricity.

>>>Architectural Challenges Overcome:

The unique architectural design of Jiaxing Train Station posed challenges, especially with the curved roofs of the north and south station buildings, the height difference from the roof edge to the center of the roof is nearly 2 meters. To ensure visual harmony, a unique installation structure is specifically employed for the BIPV system on the metal roof of Jiaxing Train Station, skillfully aligning the CdTe solar glass materials with the roof's curved contours. This innovative approach successfully merged solar glass with the building structure, creating a harmonious visual effect.

>>>Elevating the Fifth Facade(rooftop):

Jiaxing Train Station ingeniously transformed the "fifth facade" (rooftop) into an "ecological fifth facade" by using solar glass materials. This not only highlighted the aesthetic function of the roof but also served as a bold exploration and experimentation with clean, green photovoltaic technology on building rooftops. The project exemplifies the "green building concept," setting an essential precedent for the construction and transformation of public buildings, including high-speed railway stations, airports, exhibition centers, and shopping malls.

The revitalized Jiaxing Train Station, with its integration of advanced technologies and commitment to green building principles, signifies a turning point in China's urban development.