CASE STUDY | CIVIC
Downtown Metrorail Station Improvements: Arriving In Style
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority wanted to create a unique setting for its light rail station in downtown Austin, nestled between the Hilton Hotel and the Austin Convention Center. Using inspiration from the Els Encants Vells flea market in Barcelona, a series of large “pentagonal parasols” with mirrored soffit panels was envisioned to provide shelter for waiting passengers and to serve as an iconic gateway entrance into downtown.
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority wanted to create a unique setting for its light rail station in downtown Austin, nestled between the Hilton Hotel and the Austin Convention Center. Using inspiration from the Els Encants Vells flea market in Barcelona, a series of large “pentagonal parasols” with mirrored soffit panels was envisioned to provide shelter for waiting passengers and to serve as an iconic gateway entrance into downtown.
Encotech’s scope of work for this project included the structural design of the seven canopies and an architecturally complimentary ticket kiosk on the station platform. After several structural design iterations, a system of tapered steel girders cantilevered from a single, central round HSS column was chosen for the primary structure. Secondary miscellaneous steel frames were also required to support the top and bottom architectural panels properly. Open configurations for these frames were selected to allow electrical conduits and plumbing lines to pass.
Because of the complex geometry and very narrow profile of the canopies, BIM technology was critical in preparing an accurate model for visualizing the structure and coordinating all the internal and external aspects of each canopy.
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
CLIENT: Downtown Gateway Partners/ CAPMETRO
SERVICES: Structural Engineering
Encotech’s scope of work for this project included the structural design of the seven canopies and an architecturally complimentary ticket kiosk on the station platform. After several structural design iterations, a system of tapered steel girders cantilevered from a single, central round HSS column was chosen for the primary structure. Secondary miscellaneous steel frames were also required to support the top and bottom architectural panels properly. Open configurations for these frames were selected to allow electrical conduits and plumbing lines to pass.
Because of the complex geometry and very narrow profile of the canopies, BIM technology was critical in preparing an accurate model for visualizing the structure and coordinating all the internal and external aspects of each canopy.
LOCATION: Austin, Texas
CLIENT: Downtown Gateway Partners/ CAPMETRO
SERVICES: Structural Engineering
