european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel’s photo series

Thibault Drutel frames european metro stations with his lens

With Symmetric Subway, French photographer Thibault Drutel embarks on a visually precise and unexpectedly poetic journey through the underground arteries of Europe. His photographic series, captured across numerous subway systems, transforms transit spaces, normally associated with speed, stress, and anonymity, into studies of form, light, and balance. Focusing on the overlooked symmetry of metro platforms and tunnels, Drutel reframes these utilitarian environments as architectural stage sets where geometry and motion subtly align.

The series spans a diverse visual spectrum, from the brutalist vastness of Eastern Bloc infrastructures to the sleek minimalism of Scandinavian platforms and the retro-futuristic accents of Central European systems. Each image reveals the architectural intentionality that often goes unnoticed in the blur of daily commutes. Drutel’s lens lingers on mirrored surfaces, repeated patterns, and vanishing points, highlighting the quiet discipline embedded in metro design across cultural and political borders. ‘What attracted me to subways around Europe was the diversity of their visual language. Each city takes a different approach to underground architecture, mixing brutalism, futurism, minimalism, or unexpected ornamentation,’ shares the photographer.

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Munich | all images courtesy of Thibault Drutel

Symmetric Subway chases still moments in a moving system

Beyond symmetry as a visual motif, the Strasbourg-based photographer Thibault Drutel is after the moment of stillness within a system engineered for movement. Shot across metro stations in Munich, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg, and Brussels, his photographs are captured at that elusive intersection of calm and chaos. This precision, as he notes, requires both technical control and meditative patience, as he waits for the perfect alignment of architecture, light, and human activity. ‘Architecture is, to me, a form of silent storytelling. It reflects intention, function, and culture – but it’s usually overlooked in the rush of daily life,’ notes the artist. ‘Through photography, I try to freeze those fleeting moments when space, light, and movement align. In this series, I’m especially drawn to the intersection of stillness and motion – the brief instant when a train slices through a static frame, adding life to an otherwise controlled composition.’

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Stockholm

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Munich

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Stockholm

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Stockholm

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Brussels

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Hambourg

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Berlin

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Munich

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Munich

european metro stations unfold as mirrored worlds of calm in thibault drutel's photo series
Munich

1/13

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Munich

Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm

Stockholm

Hambourg

Hambourg

Berlin

Berlin

Berlin

Berlin

Berlin

Berlin

project info:

name: Symmetric Subway

photographer: Thibault Drutel | @tee_bo67

locations: Munich, Stockholm, Berlin, Hamburg, Brussels

Similar Posts

  • Birch Le Collaboration House

    Hygge Supply completed this ultimate kit home in June 2019 and began offering overnight stays to potential clients and design enthusiasts on July 1. Designed and built with the intention of being an experiential showroom for potential clients, Hygge Supply founder and designer, Kelly Sean Karcher, envisioned the home to incorporate those materials and products that fell in line both aesthetically and ethically with principles of the Hygge Supply brand. “I wanted this home to highlight the best of Hygge Supply. That included visually the design of the home, practically with the simplicity of the systems used to construct the home, and lastly, with the products and materials we used in the home. We wanted to partner with companies who shared not only a similar design philosophy, but that also were environmentally responsible and sustainable,” Karcher stated. Karcher and team partnered with several different companies to bring the home to life. On the exterior, Hygge Supply partnered with Thermory for the responsibly sourced, chemical-free spruce cladding. Hygge also used Marvin for all windows and doors in the home, which are produced in the US using environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. On the interior, Hygge partnered with sustainable architectural material distributor, Cara Green, to source solid surface Durat countertops, which are made from 30-50% recycled hard plastics and are 100% recyclable. Low-VOC C2 Luxe paint was used throughout the home. All cabinets, vanities, and kitchen islands are designed and produced by Hygge Supply, using no-VOC powder coat finishes. Hygge Supply partnered exclusively with Rove Concepts for the interior furnishings. With a focus on modern contemporary and Nordic designs, Rove Concepts aligned with the Scandinavian inspiration that drove Karcher to develop Hygge Supply. “I was drawn to the clean lines and neutral tones of Rove Concepts. The design of the furniture felt like it could be a natural extension of the home,” Karcher said. “At Hygge Supply, we believe in comfortable minimalism and Rove Concepts really offered that to us in statement pieces that were warm and inviting and could stand on their own.” Hygge Supply also partnered with Fermob to furnish the exterior, creating an inviting and elegant outdoor living and dining area in the large covered porch. Followers of the company can book a visit to the 3 bedroom (there is a bunk space), 2.5 bathroom house managed by the short-term rental arm of the company Hygge Stay. Take a look at our Collections category to book through Dwell Travel.

  • Commercial Car Parking Space Turned into Three Smart Floating Houses

    We love any project hat does much more than just turn an empty lot into a modern home. It takes a bit of creativity and right planning to transform a parking lot that previously housed 15 cars into a dashing modern trio of homes. And that is just what you get with the unique Trio […]

    You’re reading Commercial Car Parking Space Turned into Three Smart Floating Houses, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.