Arroios is one of Lisbon's metro stations, where art helps give the place its own identity. The original station opened in 1959, and, like many early Lisbon Metro stations, it benefited from the work of Maria Keil, who created tile designs for several stations in the city. Her work gave the underground spaces a lighter, more human feel. In Arroios, the art uses simple shapes and repeated patterns, so the station does not feel cold or empty. The tiles bring colour and rhythm to the platforms, which makes the wait for a train a lighter moment.
Arroios was later rebuilt and updated, but the idea of using art in the station remained important. That is one of the reasons Lisbon’s metro is often seen as an underground gallery. Even a quick stop can show how the city uses design to make daily life more pleasant.
Have you noticed the art in Arroios station? What metro station in Lisbon do you like most for its tiles?