Union Station Bicycle Transit Center
Downtown, Washington, DC
At the cusp of the livable cities movement, the Union Station Bicycle Transit Center acts as a catalyst for bicycle use and alternative transportation by providing secure parking, rental, and retail services. Located at the doorstep of Washington’s central transportation hub, Union Station, its sleek form reflects the technology of its program while complementing its prominent Beaux Arts context. Arched steel tubes with an energy-efficient skin optimize transparency in this sensitive historic setting, echoing the elegance and efficiency of a bicycle wheel. This project received the AIA Washington DC Chapter President’s Citation for Sustainability Honor Award (2010), recognizing its contribution to sustainable urban mobility and design.
Sited between two turn-of-the-century landmarks by Daniel Burnham, Union Station, and the National Capitol Post Office, the facility is available daily to thousands of tourists, commuters, and neighbors. Union Station, circa 1907, exemplifies a heroic strain of the American Beaux-Arts tradition that emerged after the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Grand iconic vaulted ceilings recalling Roman triumphal arches and baths suggest Union Station represents an "imperial transportation palace" as conceived by its renowned architect, Daniel H. Burnham. The apparent location adjacent to the west portico creates a fitting backdrop for the Bicycle Transit Center. Sustainable goals shape and evolve our attitudes toward transportation.
In the design of the bike station project, KGP Design Studio innovatively crafted a shape intended to attract individuals towards using bicycles as a primary mode of city transportation. The complexity of the design focused on achieving an efficient structure capable of accommodating numerous bicycles while addressing key details to minimize corrosion and maintenance needs. The emphasis on functionality and aesthetics showcases KGP's dedication to encouraging sustainable urban mobility through thoughtful and effective design solutions.
Type of Project
BICYCLING
Location
Downtown, Washington, DC
Client
District Department of Transportation DDOT
Status
Design Completed 2007, Construction Completed 2009
Role
Designer, Architect of Record
Team
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