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The Architecture of Infrastructure

Buildings in DC and South Florida Support Modern Rail Systems

Featured Projects
  • District Department of Transportation, Car Barn Training Center by ZGF Architects LLP
  • Brightline by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in association with Zyscovich Architects



District Department of Transportation,
Car Barn Training Center

Washington, DC

ZGF Architects LLP
Chapter Design Award in Architecture

In 2016, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) launched a new streetcar line along the H Street NE corridor—DC’s historic streetcar system ceased operating decades earlier in 1962. Inspired by the neoclassical and Colonial Revival architecture of nearby school buildings, ZGF Architects designed a new 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art car barn and training center using light-colored columns and beams against red brick façades with large windows. These large windows, including sawtooth-shaped, north facing skylights, bring natural light into the workspace. Sustainable design strategies were employed throughout the building, including automated exterior shades to reduce solar heat gain on hot days, a passive cooling system, radiant heating in the concrete floors, and a large cistern for collecting stormwater.

Streetcar maintenance can be viewed from the exterior through large windows Bright yellow railings, ladders, and other elements complement colored accents on the nearly red streetcars Lobby with branded signage Visitors approach the building through landscaped walkways Public entrance with views to the interior Rooftop terrace with overhead photovoltaic panels

Project Credits
Interior Designers/Landscape Architects: ZGF Architects LLP
Structural Engineers: A+F Engineers
MEP/FP Engineers: SETTY
Civil Engineers: Wiles Mensch Corporation; JMT
Industrial Engineers: LTK Engineering
Project Managers: HDR
Construction Managers: Amec Foster Wheeler
General Contractors: M.C. Dean; Lane Construction; McCullough Construction
Photographer: © Halkin Mason Photography



Brightline

Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, FL

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in association with Zyscovich Architects
Chapter Design Award in Architecture
Citation for Urban Catalyst

Brightline, the only privately owned, operated, and maintained project of its kind in development today in the U.S., currently serves three South Florida stations: Miami (the largest of the stations), Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. It’s part of a 235-mile network of rail lines that will connect South Florida to Central Florida and ultimately to Orlando. Each station designed by the architects shares the same visual identity—super-scaled v-shaped columns that form truss-like superstructures. Each station was conceived as a hub for transportation and urban life with mixed-use development such as residential towers, an office tower, and retail concourse.

MiamiCentral Brightline with a would-be branded red “V” for Virgin Trains USA, part of a deal that ceased Interior of MiamiCentral Brightline showing vertical circulation West Palm Beach Brightline West Palm Beach Brightline Exterior of MiamiCentral Brightline showing truss-like superstructure Ft. Lauderdale Brightline
Project Credits
Residential Architects: NBWW
Interior Designers: Rockwell Group
Landscape Architects: ESDA
Lighting Designers: Domingo Gonzalez Associates
Signage & Wayfinding Designers: Pentagram
Structural Engineers: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill; TY Lin
Train Viaduct Engineers: EAC; URS
MEP Engineers: TLC
Civil Engineers: Chen Moore
Code Consultants: CCI
Vertical Transportation Consultants: VDA
General Contractor: Suffolk Construction Company; Moss & Associates
Photographer: Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM

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