A transit design that celebrates innovation
The 200-acre CORTEX Innovation Community campus is the Midwest’s premier innovation hub of bioscience and technology research, development and commercialization, serving as the anchor of St. Louis’ growing ecosystem for innovative startup programs and established companies. In 2015, founding members of Cortex met with St. Louis Metro to create a new transit station in the midst of the campus with the plans to provide a portion of funding through a Public Private Partnership. Citizens for Modern Transit and the Great Rivers Greenway joined the partnership with Cortex and St. Louis Metro.
In addition to creating a new stop on an existing, operational line, KAI was also asked to create a new canopy design celebrating the Cortex location. We delivered a true mobility solution.
Stretched fabric canopies simulate the airiness and excitement of the research conducted on the Cortex campus and is the first use of this material in Metro’s system. It also pays homage to an outdoor gathering place near the new infill station and served as an inspiration for the design of an adjacent building by another architect.
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Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering
“It’s the first time in the history of the [Metro] system in St. Louis that we have private money being invested into the public-transit system. So, to us, it’s not just a station. It’s about access, it’s about opportunity, it’s about economic development and it’s about the power of great partnerships.”
The Impact
Creating access and opportunity.
The opening of the Cortex MetroLink Station marks the first section completion of the Chouteau Greenway — a hike, bike and walking trail that will connect the Gateway Arch to Forest Park. The dedication and ribbon-cutting of the Cortex MetroLink Station occurred on the 25th anniversary of MetroLink’s light-rail system in 1993. All of the partners — local, state and federal as well as the private organizations — spoke to the importance of creating a mobility solution allowing workers and residents easy access to the metropolitan area.
