LOCATION
Montgomery & Prince George's Counties, MD
STATUS
Design Completed 2012, Construction Ongoing
CLIENT
Maryland Transit Administration MTA
TYPOLOGY
TRANSPORTATION
ROLE
Architecture Designer
KGP was the Design Architect for ten stations, including Silver Spring Intermodal Station and several other elevated structures for the Preliminary Engineering Phase. Silver Spring is the busiest and most complex station, connecting Metro, MARC, Amtrak, local bus services, and the regional bicycle trail system. The station is approximately 80 feet above the WMATA Red Line entrance, between the existing elevated Metro and MARC stations and the adjacent Bus Transit Center. Four levels link circulation elements to all three transit platforms, plus horizontal connections to the Capital Crescent Trail, the Bus Transit Center, and a potential new WMATA mezzanine.
A long, enveloping canopy structure distinguishes the SSTC, which addresses the functional and environmental challenges of building an aerial station with high exposure to winter winds. KGP responded with a clear-span, diagrid structure running at 9' intervals with a secondary set of diagonally arched rectangular tube ribs providing lateral support. The clad canopy combined with perforated metal and glass panels ensures an optimal response to shading and visibility criteria.
At the same time, KGP Developed a new entrance and mezzanine for Metro as the direct connection to the Purple Line.
