The Stitch
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Coldsprings Cidery
Train of Thought
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Metacity
Village Lounge of Shangcun
Theory
Residual Spaces
Vision & Void
Elements
Beam
Lamp
Wall
Object
Experiential
Boucheron: From Paris to New York
Tory Burch: NYFW FA2024
The Art of Life: Mawangdui Han Tombs
Mindscape
Refusing Refuse
Macbeth: Dagger In The Mind
Rule of Thirds
Ricardo Bofill
Japanese Macaque
Expressions
Threshold Spaces for Moments of Transition at the Chicago Union Station
ARCH 5112 Core Design Studio II [Computation]
Systematic Mixed-Used Space as “A Machine for Life”
Instructors: Martin Miller & Christopher Battaglia
Cornell University Department of Architecture | Spring 2024
Often overlooked amidst the hustle of commuters, these sites possess the potential to leave an indelible mark on travelers, shaping their initial and final perceptions of a locale.
With this perspective in mind, this project endeavors to introduce a transit station design that not only facilitates seamless navigation for the hurried masses but also provides tranquil spaces for leisurely repose.
A place of conflict:
“Wait, Don’t Go.”
“Hurry, Time’s Up.”
“Hurry, Time’s Up.”
Currently, this area is an open space with visible train tracks.
It is located directly south of Chicago Union Station and east of the Union Station Transit Center.
All three existing buildings are clustered at the intersection of W. Jackson Blvd. and S. Canal St.
Unlike traditional transit hubs, this design places the grand hall underground beneath the platforms, reducing congestion by separating daily commuters from slower-paced users.
The design introduces a novel grid layout to ease congestion and facilitate efficient navigation, particularly for commuters from the south seeking access to Union Station and the Transit Center. Additionally, it creates opportunities for memorable arrival and departure experiences for intercity travelers.
The open ground-level layout uses the visibility of trains as a guiding feature. Ground-level pedestrian bridges provide direct access to central terminals, while diagonal pathways offer straight routes to the platforms below, avoiding the detours of the city's grid and speeding up journeys for hurried commuters.
The design introduces a novel grid layout to ease congestion and facilitate efficient navigation, particularly for commuters from the south seeking access to Union Station and the Transit Center. Additionally, it creates opportunities for memorable arrival and departure experiences for intercity travelers.
The open ground-level layout uses the visibility of trains as a guiding feature. Ground-level pedestrian bridges provide direct access to central terminals, while diagonal pathways offer straight routes to the platforms below, avoiding the detours of the city's grid and speeding up journeys for hurried commuters.
Furthermore, beyond addressing the functional needs of the transit station, the design places a strong emphasis on enhancing the experience of intercity travelers, both those arriving and departing, as well as their companions.
This envisioned transit station design offers a solution to the congestion challenges currently faced by Chicago Union Station, all while bringing attention to the experiences of both daily commuters and intercity travelers.
The strategic grid layout not only facilitates shortcuts and streamlined access to platforms but also integrates threshold spaces designed to foster memorable moments and provide a more pleasant waiting environment.
This envisioned transit station design offers a solution to the congestion challenges currently faced by Chicago Union Station, all while bringing attention to the experiences of both daily commuters and intercity travelers.
The strategic grid layout not only facilitates shortcuts and streamlined access to platforms but also integrates threshold spaces designed to foster memorable moments and provide a more pleasant waiting environment.
Plans
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A sequence of threshold spaces is designed to accommodate these fleeting yet significant moments, offering havens for reflection without impeding the flow of commuters. Positioned directly above the breadth of the existing platforms, their linear design exudes a sense of fluidity and efficiency, contrasting with the stagnant nature of transitional spaces.
The enclosure of these areas is achieved through the convergence of two imposing panels, their angular configuration challenging the traditional rectilinear paradigm and echoing the notion of defying the confines of the grid.
Material selection is tailored to optimize views and track visibility, with opulent opaque panels paying homage to Chicago's rich ornamentation tradition, while expansive plate-glass windows frame panoramic city vistas, serving as a captivating prelude to departure and arrival.
The enclosure of these areas is achieved through the convergence of two imposing panels, their angular configuration challenging the traditional rectilinear paradigm and echoing the notion of defying the confines of the grid.
Material selection is tailored to optimize views and track visibility, with opulent opaque panels paying homage to Chicago's rich ornamentation tradition, while expansive plate-glass windows frame panoramic city vistas, serving as a captivating prelude to departure and arrival.