The Garfield Gateway Station was built for the 1892 World’s Columbian Exposition. It includes two stationhouses – one non-active (historic), one active. Our renovation creates a gateway to the Washington Park neighborhood with the restoration/re-purposing of the historic station as community center, and renovation of the active station to serve 475,000 riders, while supporting the revitalization of the community.
The renovation included façade improvements, elevators, platform canopy extensions and enhanced architectural features integrating site-specific art by a renowned Chicago-based artist.
Artwork was re-mixed into patterns via various materials applied to key architectural elements, including:
• Perforated stainless panels cladding façade/elevator towers;
• Ceilings clad in mosaic tiles;
• Structural columns clad in backlit lenticular panels that create movement as viewpoint changes;
• Back-painted glass wall panels;
• Fused art-glass in platform windbreaks.
In this project architecture is art and art is architecture blended to create a fully immersive experience. This high level of integration required true collaboration among architect, artist and builder.
