Designed by sporaarchitects, Twin Stations – These two metro stations are part of the most important infrastructure project currently in Budapest, the M4 metro line. The original idea of the line was invented by the engineers in the 1980’s, about 30 years ago. It was a metro line designed according to the thinking of that decade. Budapest’s first subway line, the “yellow line” called Kisföldalatti, was opened in 1896. This was the first underground railway in continental Europe and the world’s first electrically powered subway. It had been built in 21 months using the highest level of technology including a prefabricated structure of steel slabs. After a long period of time, there arose the possibility for another line to be built; this was the  M2 or “red line”.
The construction began in 1950 during the socialist era; after a long interval, it was completed in 1973. This east-west line was built in a similar manner as the M4 plan, but the stations have been mined.  This is typical of metro stations in Budapest. The construction of a new, north-south subway line was initiated in 1970. This was the M3; it was completed in 1990. The missing line, the M4, was conceived about that time, to provide a quick east – southwest public transport connection.
Photography: Tamás Bujnovszky
The new M4 metro line planned in Budapest is to connect South-Buda with the city center of Pest which is...