Underground Party in Paris
We have a soft-spot for large civic projects that provide city dwellers places to loiter, ahem, congregate. Places that make the sometimes-grinding, cramped nature of city life totally worthwhile. Places like Chicago’s Millenium Park–free to use, feature frequent events and add luster to their host city. We like em even better when they use existing, but neglected infrastructures like NYC’s High Line, the derelict elevated railroad that was converted into a gorgeous, two-mile park. Parisian mayoral candidate Nathalie Koziuscot-Morizet has an ambitious idea along these lines. She wants to convert unused Métro stations into amazing, subterranean, public playgrounds.
Several prominent architects have already submitted proposals for what to do with these “stations fantomes” (ghost stations). Ideas for use include a swimming pool, theater, restaurant and nightclub. There are eight stations up for consideration. Some, like the Arsensal station used in the renderings, haven’t been active since 1936. Others were never used due to planning changes made decades ago.
If this all seems a bit outrageous, consider that the High Line sat unused from the 1960s to 2009. Though we don’t know much (well, anything) about Koziuscot-Morizet’s politics, we hope this project never sees the light of day–meaning we hope it gets built. Find out more about the project on Koziuscot-Morizet’s campaign page.
Via Messy Nessy Chic