Expresso 17 | Shaping tomorrow

FEATURE 6

START WITH COMMUNITIES IN MIND

the people whose lives are touched by the project,” notes senior vice president, Building + Industry, Jefrey Jakalski. “THE GOAL OF TRANSIT IS TO SERVE EVERYONE EQUALLY.

responds to the community and shapes station identity. This approach produces a strong relationship between the transit stations and the communities they serve, while also enhancing mobility, transportation system performance and the quality of life.” As seen at the South Mainline Garfield Gateway Station, EXP worked with the Chicago Transit Authority to renovate the historic stationhouse to improve service and accessibility for transit riders, bicyclists and pedestrians. To meet the City of Chicago’s Public Art Program objective to establish a stronger link between transit and the community, EXP worked with renowned Chicago artist Nick Cave to integrate mural-styled artwork with the project’s architectural features. The station is now more than a stop – it is an immersive experience. The commitment to connecting communities through purposeful infrastructure is evident in our projects throughout North America, from Chicago’s Red-Purple Modernization

From aviation and transit to bridges and roadways, our teams dedicate themselves to advancing sustainable infrastructure for communities. Our transportation projects offer unique opportunities for professionals to stand at the intersection of innovation and human-centered design. When the global pandemic changed the landscape of transportation and revealed systemic vulnerabilities, our professionals adapted, offering clients tailored solutions to collaboratively navigate the uncharted terrain. “The global pandemic has certainly posed new challenges to transportation operations. It is one more challenge that our team of architects, engineers and planners address every day in creating more accessible, efficient, safe and reliable transportation solutions. We’re creating something that is enduring and contributes to the character of cities and neighborhoods they serve and to

Alzira Maldonado Protsishin, AIA

First stop: transit “Transit projects offer a unique

opportunity for designers to collaborate with communities to add value to our built environment,” mention architects Alzira Maldonado Protsishin and Victor Jimenez. “The goal of transit is to serve everyone equally. To accomplish this, we must understand the project elements required for success, including safety, budget, operations, maintenance, accessibility requirements and neighborhood character. Once we have established the project goals, we strategize how to implement these solutions to create a design that

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