The San Pasquale station was designed by architect Boris Podrecca, who describes it as “a dizzying descent into the sea” and summarizes his concept as follows:

“I worked in a highly charismatic setting: one can see the sea, Vesuvius, and Chiaia. For this reason, I did not want to create a simple excavation to be later filled with artworks; instead, I aimed for an osmosis between architecture and art, with the latter helping users understand that they are truly underwater—below sea level” (The Metro at the Bottom of the Sea. Naples’ Spectacular San Pasquale Station is Ready, Artribune, 16.07.2024).

Until the 19th century, the project area was submerged by the sea—land reclaimed by humans through successive landfills. The station's structure consists of a massive reinforced concrete “box,” 100 meters long and 35 meters high, spanning five different levels.

As visitors descend toward the platforms, their attention is drawn to a monumental, compact central volume clad in corten steel, evoking the image—further emphasized by circular light fixtures resembling portholes—of an ancient ship resting in the ocean depths.

The idea of a sunken vessel is further reinforced by the presence of a metal mesh above, which almost takes on the appearance of a sail, and by Peter Kogler’s environmental art installation. Through shades of blue and a pattern of “liquid” shapes, his work recalls the movement of ocean waves.