The station beside the Gustave Roussy Hospital in Villejuif, in the south of Paris, is part of the Grand Paris Express, a 200-kilometer system of metropolitan railway lines and 68 new stations which is one of the largest infrastructural projects underway in Europe.

The Villejuif-Gustave Roussy Staion is located 50 meters underground. Executed with concrete, stainless steel, and glass, it is structured around a central cylindrical axis, letting natural light into all the lower levels. With a diameter of 70 meters, the huge cylinder contains a 30-meter void inside, where reflective perforated surfaces maximize the distribution of light. A feature of the broader artistic initiative of the Grand Paris Express, the installation by Chilean artist Iván Navarro is integrated into the ensemble with a starry sky of neon lights and mirrors, generating an immersive visual environment.

The station’s roof has three layers. A circular transparent central one keeps rain out and allows outside air to circulate laterally. This covering is formed by a peripheral beam on which all the tie rods and cables are connected to the central hub, the station’s ‘eye.’ ETFE elements extend over the cables. The two other roofs, non-concentric discs places at different heights, cover the station and stretch over the plaza. They are composed of pieces of spiralled wire mesh, tensioned between the radial beams.

Energy efficiency and sustainability are essential to the station’s design. The use of subterranean natural resources regulates internal temperatures. A ventilation system enhances energy efficiency even further. The selection of durable and low-maintenance materials contributes to the station’s long-term resilience.