MAD Architects has unveiled their design for Jiaxing’s “Train Station in the Forest.” The project began construction near the end of 2019 and is expected to be completed by July 1st, 2021. The train station is located in the center of Jiaxing and the project as a whole covers an area of 35.4 hectares, which includes the Jiaxing Train Station, plazas to the north and south, and a renovation of the adjacent People's Park.

MAD's proposal drew inspiration from Jiaxing's history and culture. It includes a 1:1 rebuilding of the historic station building derived from archival investigations and a new underground train station.

The placement of the busy transportation junction underground frees space on the ground floor, allowing the People's Park to stretch through the site. In front reconstruction old station, a large collection of trees have been planted to provide natural shade and coverage for the plaza.

The original Jiaxing Train Station was built in 1907, and opened in 1909 as an important junction for the Shanghai- Hangzhou Railway Line, but was later destroyed by war in 1937. 

In order to rebuild the station, MAD worked with scholars, consultants, and experts in heritage architecture to recover data to aid in rebuilding. Once completed, the old station building will become the Jiaxing Railway History Museum.

The station concourse, platforms, and waiting hall are hidden underground, while the building’s single-story height above ground level compliments the smaller scale of the old station building. Natural light enters the subterranean space through skylights and glass curtain walls.

Additionally, sunken courtyards connect the underground commercial space with the parkland space above. To the south of the station, a new above-ground commercial area is created, enclosed by landscaped public lawns that can host a variety of events, festivals, concerts, or markets. 

Upon completion, the overall passenger capacity is expected to reach 5.28 million people per year, with peak-time capacity reaching 2,300 people per hour.