UNStudio + EE&K: los angeles union station master plan

‘los angeles union station master plan’ by UNStudio + EE&K, los angeles, california, USA all images courtesy of UNStudio

amsterdam-based UNStudio has collaborated with new york-based interdisciplinary practice EE&K to produce the ‘los angeles union station master plan’, a rail terminal and urban design proposal for downtown los angeles, california. transforming the current train station into a multi-modal transit hub for trains, subways, buses, taxis, cars, bikes, the venue will host mixed-use development as well as outdoor public spaces. presenting a design which offers a range of possibilities for the city,  the vision integrates green areas into the transportation experience of transient visitors while creating much needed amenities for local residents.

dating from the 1920s, the current art deco station and gardens will be preserved and maintained within the revitalization to accommodate increased ridership with the introduction of high-speed rail connections. an open-air building with stacked vertical program will maximize the region’s climate and abundant daylight. addressing large-scale planning issues, a green loop will link the river and various park extensions across the bisecting 101 freeway.

station interior

‘with our vision for the la union station area we envision not simply a train station, but a new, flexible and lively transit location, catering for bikes, bus, train, cars and taxis for a wide variety of users. the mixed use programme would ensure a 24 hours cycle of activity and liveliness for residents, tourists, students and business people alike. along with the preservation of the existing station, the extension of its open air courtyards into a large public landscape would guide and orientate all the various user groups by means of one large gesture.’ – ben van berkel

site access diagram

project info:

client: metro location: 800 north alameda street, los angeles, ca building surface: n/a
 building volume: n/a building site: 40 hectares
 programme: train station, bus station, mixed use, parking, park
status: rfp submission

UNStudio: ben van berkel, caroline bos, wouter de jonge, and imola berczi, aurélie hsiao with martin zangerl, stefano rocchetti, elisabeth brauner, qiyao li

primary team composition large scale design: EE&K a perkins eastman company architecture, iconic places: UNStudio rail and infrastructure engineering, constructability: jacobs facility engineering, energy, sustainability, performance modeling: buro happold

extended team composition
 large scale design: EE&K a perkins eastman company architecture, iconic places: UNStudio local and existing architecture and planning: raw international rail and infrastructure engineering, constructability: jacobs facility engineering, energy, sustainability, performance modeling: buro happold civil engineering: fuscoe landscape design: workshop: ken smith landscape architect landscape architecture: patricia smith public outreach: the robert group financial planning: HR&A advisors, inc. land use & entitlements: kosmont companies wayfinding and identity branding: pentagram historic preservation: historic resources group transportation engineering: KOA security: ducibella venter & santore cost estimating: lenax surveyor: zuma pacifica