Substance Architecture

Dart Central Station

Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby

DART CENTRAL STATION

Substance Architecture

GENERAL CONTRACTOR
The Weitz Company

LOCATION
Des moines, united states

CATEGORY
Bus station

YEAR
2012

AREA
22000 ft²

PHOTOGRAPHS
Paul Crosby

CONSULTANTS
Confluence HDR Engineers, KJWW Engineering, LT Leon Associates The Weidt Group

The new Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) Central Station consolidates all of DART’s transfer functions on to one site located on the southern edge of downtown Des Moines. Goals for the project include.

Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
  • Transfer platforms for 15 vehicles.
  • Covered walkways for customers to transfer between vehicles.
  • A safe place for customers and DART employees.
  • A climate controlled interior customer waiting area.
  • Customer Service offices on-site to improve the level of service for customers.
  • Administrative offices for DART staff on-site.
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
  • ‘Green’ facility designed to maximize energy efficiency and sustainable practices.
  • Iconic project that establishes a positive image for DART within the community.

Site layout was designed to maximize the efficiency of moving vehicles and people into and through the facility in the safest way possible.

Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby

A ‘safe’ pedestrian zone is clearly established at the entrance to the administrative building into the customer waiting area then extending through the site connecting the transfer platforms. The safe zone is covered by a large ‘iconic’ canopy.

The canopy not only provides protection but also establishes a recognizable and powerful image for DART against the skyline of downtown Des Moines.

Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby

Transfer platforms are fully covered by smaller scale canopies that protect customers from the elements.

Additionally these canopies incorporate skylights that use Photovoltaic glass that allow daylight to illuminate the areas under the canopy and generate electricity for the facility.

Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby
Dart Central Station
© Paul Crosby

The two-story building creates a strong contextural streetscape that ties this development and future developments on adjacent sites into the historic Court Avenue area located to the east of this location.


Dart Central Station
Floor Plan
Dart Central Station
Elevation

Substance Architecture
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Substance Architecture
1300 Walnut St #201, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States