The Interior Renovation of Beijing Railway Station

WIT Design & Research was responsible for the interior renovation of Beijing Railway Station. The scope of the project included the Central Hall, the Fourth Waiting Room, and the Central Waiting Room. The design tasks encompassed interior design, the reorganization of commercial and media areas, as well as lighting and the wayfinding system.

Beijing Railway Station was one of the top ten buildings in the capital in the 1950s. It was built in 1959 under the guidance and supervision of Premier Zhou Enlai and was recognized by the nation as a top-grade passenger railway station. It was designated as a listed building by the National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2019.

Beijing Railway Station exhibits grandeur in its architecture and exquisite details. Mainstream media once commented, "The Chinese people's demand for architecture is not only about material satisfaction, but also includes a spiritual longing..." It is important to note that this building was completed during a time of extreme scarcity of resources and budget. Not only was a railway station constructed, but a belief was also established, instilling confidence in a better future.

The Central Waiting Room

During the renovation of the space, an important question had to be considered: To what extent can Beijing Railway Station meet the spiritual demands of the people? The answer may lie in the station’s potential to become a warm calling card in the international metropolis, something which can reach people’s hearts.

The Fourth Waiting Room

The color of the leather seats was changed back to the original green of the 1950s, and nostalgic loop seat installed.

The Central Hall

Beijing Railway Station has improved the experience of rail travellers. By enhancing the quality of the space, the renovation will once again empower people to tackle difficulties and challenges in the post-pandemic era，rebuilding people’s confidence and belief through architectural design?

After six months of design work, a comprehensive interior renovation of Beijing Railway Station was carried out at a minimal cost within a period of only three months, enhancing travel efficiency, commercial services, and cultural experiences. This design has restored the original building and has continued to to develop the architectural language to meet the needs of the new era in terms of passenger services, commercial facilities, and advertising media.

On average, Beijing Railway Station handles about 60,000 passengers every day. After 62 years of high- passenger volume, the station had become relatively chaotic - various facilities built within the station lacked unified planning; the signage was confusing; and the interior space lacked a systematic lighting design. All this failed to represent the prominent status and location of the station.

Many people who have been to New York praise the Grand Central Terminal, admiring its beauty as a historical building and its successful integration of contemporary functionality. For the China Railway Beijing Bureau and the design teams, Beijing Railway Station also has the potential to be listed as one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world.

Many people now find Beijing Railway Station more beautiful than it ever was. A well-designed train station is indeed a warm calling card of a city!