LOCATION
Washington, DC Region
STATUS
Design Completed 2012, Construction On Going
CLIENT
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority WMATA
TYPOLOGY
BICYCLING
ROLE
Architectural Designer - Architect of Record
Municipalities have begun to follow the market in shifting their focus from automobile-centric projects to pedestrian and alternative transportation projects. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and KGP design studio are at the forefront of this new alternative transportation infrastructure.
The massive success of bicycle facilities and bicycle public transit programs, such as Capital Bikeshare, has dramatically increased ridership in the Washington DC Metro area. These shifts have altered the public transportation landscape for both urban and suburban commuters. With such rapid growth, the public must face new challenges to continue this positive, sustainable growth. While bicycle racks provide an effective, low-cost, and short-term parking solution, they only offer a modest amount of security to deter theft. Secure, long-term bicycle parking facilities are an essential component of bicycle-based infrastructure and a key element for increasing the capacity of WMATA rail ridership.
Two types, an interior-parking garage prototype, and an exterior, free-standing prototype, have been developed to accommodate the wide range of locations WMATA intends to deploy these secure parking prototypes throughout their broader multi-modal transit network. The design of these facilities considered all possible jurisdictional building codes, regulations, and other criteria, which could regulate its design very early in the process to minimize site variations without limiting the modularity of the prototypical design process.
The bike facility for WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) prioritized simplicity and low maintenance in its design process. By incorporating minimal elements and joints, the facility aimed to reduce upkeep requirements. The use of fabric materials for the canopy not only contributed to a clean and modern aesthetic but also offered practical advantages. The facility's design, focused on providing ample space for bicycles, also played a crucial role in promoting the use of bicycles within urban environments.