The graphics I have designed to be obtained through perforation of the train stop shelters’ screens along the PKM line should fulfill two main functions – informational and artistic. The graphics shown at all the train stop shelters is uniform and coherent. At the same time I recall these places where the railway line appears in my project. The railway line partly leads along the old route, which in the past had connected Gdańsk Wrzeszcz with Stara Piła. The Kiełpinek station was the border station between Poland and Wolne Miasto Gdańsk (Free City Gdańsk). Most of the railway line leads along the moraine hills edge. The railway bank is wooded and the old railway station of Kiełpinek is surrounded by luxuriant greenery.
My inspiration during designing the graphics was the nature. This is a really important part of the Pomeranian Metropolitan Railway line’s landscape. The modern architectural solid of the train stops is an emphasis in the landscape that surrounds it. I am deeply convinced that the graphics should be both esthetic and informational. Each of the eight train stations have got numbers, ordering the stops beginning with the Strzyża train stop till the last one – the Banino train stop. The numbers on the elevations were designed as huge, predominant composition features, well seen even at long distance. They also make orientation easier for pedestrians who can find it hard to find direction in the extensive space in the area of the train stop. At each train stop its name is also written which makes orientation easier for travelers. I would like these names of the train stops to differ in colour but on the other hand to harmonize with the red elevation wall. Each inscription is a colourful accent distinguishing the stations. The colours I have chosen are rich and paralleled to the space surrounding (green, yellow, blue and ochre colours). The graphics on each elevation is a plant ornament and it refers to organic forms (leaves, branches).
My aim was to create the atmosphere of calmness and peace within the train stops’ area. I intended to give an impression of being outside an urban area, close to nature. The light is the important feature in my project and its work causes the illuminations and shadows to perform inside the train stops’ shelters. Daily light beams shine through the leaves or branches when the artificial light sources, which I mean to use, will be put inside the train stop’s shelter. After dusk it will give the effect of illuminating the inside of the train stop and highlighting the graphics on the elevation. In this way, in the evening or at night the station will be seen from far away and the ornament on the elevation will be fulfilled with light.
The additional idea is to use so-called “light indicator of progress” signalising the distance of the train to the train stop. I imagine it will be pillars with lights installed from top to bottom. The lights on these pillars will be interfaced with the train movement. For instance, when the train will be 10 minutes from the station, two of the lowest lights on the pillars will switch on. When the train comes closer more lights will turn on until all of them will light when the train has arrived. Another idea connected with light is using extra lamps on the ceiling of the train stops’ shelters. These lamps will be specially designed for each of the train stops. Their construction will be white panels with LED lights with proper configuration inside which refers to the graphics on the elevation wall. It will create extra illumination on the ceiling, which will also be interfaced with arriving trains. When it comes to the train stop the LED lights turn on and twinkle. As the train stops on the platform the LED lights fully shine, and as it departs they fade away. The extra lights are planned to be in the bends of the elevation (it is the light which highlights the edges of the elevation) and the blue light in the glass of the elevators and under the platforms’ ceilings, which besides esthetic function, is also useful.