The island of Cebu in the central Philippines boasts the country's oldest city, a population of roughly 3.5 million people, and a centuries-old heritage in textile-making. Now, it's also home to the country's first Bus Rapid Transit system, connecting Cebu's metropolitan area through a modular series of striped bus shelters serving 15-25 percent of the island's inhabitants.
Designed by the Brooklyn-based CAZA—the same firm behind the maze-like 100 Walls Church in Cebu City—the bus shelters were designed for maximum impact with minimal form. The geometry of the faceted structures echo paper folds and subtly direct passengers toward loading areas.
Striped screens—inspired by Cebu's traditions in basket-weaving and textile production—offer vibrant pops of color while creating shade. The nineteen stations designed by CAZA are all different sizes, but share the same structural design system, landscaping, and street furniture.
The bus shelters also help address one of the area's trickiest issues: street flooding. The angled roofs of the structures cleverly catch and drain rainwater away from city streets and into nearby retention tanks.
"The project is a landmark for a country struggling to figure out how to improve the lives of its citizens and resolve transportation challenges with limited resources," said CAZA Principal Carlos Arnaiz.
Maze-Like Church Shows the 'Enigmatic Nature of Religion' [Curbed]
Here's What Happens When Architects Design Bus Stops [Curbed]