U5 Munich “Baumschule Laim”

New construction of the “Baumschule Laim” subway station as part of the extension of the U5 line.

After almost a decade of construction, Munich’s subway network is being significantly expanded with the extension of the U5 line from Laimer Platz to Pasing. As part of this project, the new subway station “Baumschule Laim” (formerly Willibaldstraße) is being built in the Laim district, on the border with Pasing.

The Laim tree nursery is located directly adjacent to the station – with an area of around 40 hectares, it is one of the largest tree nurseries in Germany. Around 200 different species of trees and shrubs are grown there, making an important contribution to Munich’s urban greenery. The proximity to the tree nursery also influences the design of the station, which thus creates a strong connection to the “genius loci” of the location.

The lighting concept for the Willibaldstraße subway station blends harmoniously into the existing architecture and emphasizes the station’s unique character. In addition to its functional orientation—such as ensuring safety, helping passengers find their way around, and intuitively guiding the flow of pedestrians—it aims to enhance the quality and artistic appeal of the space. The quality of the experience is enhanced, turning the use of the station into an experience.

On the platform level, the focus is on safety, clarity, and a high degree of orientation. Lighting is provided by free-standing light columns positioned at regular intervals along the platform. A central design element is the effect lighting on the top of the light columns: depending on the time of day, it creates changing light colors on the ceiling, bringing the feeling of natural daylight into the underground space.

Property: Subway station
Builder: Provincial capital Munich
Architect: allmannwappner -object planning interiors LP 02, 03, 05 und 06
Engineers: Ingenieurbüro Grassl, München – Generalplanung
Rendering:  allmannwappner
Lighting study: ENVUE HOMBURG LICHT
Location: Munich
Completion: app. 2030
Services: Light planning LP 01-06