Massy Opéra station, line 18

The Massy-Opéra train station (line 18) serves the city centre of Massy and some metropolitan-scale public facilities such as the Opéra. The forms of the part of the station above ground must fit in with the heterogeneous architecture of the neighbourhood; located at the centre of a public square, the building requires handling as an independent, sculptural object. The resulting form evokes that of a monolith extracted from the ground, shaped like a stone cut and hollowed by breaches that open it towards the town. These faults let in natural light and reveal the inner richness of the station and its underground heart. The blue stone chosen for the exterior contrasts with the coppery materials of the interior which instead echo the body of a musical instrument, in reference to the Opéra. The desired transparency between the passenger hall and the town is reflected in the panoramic window that frames the view at the back of the reception area.