When transportation authorities in St. Louis considered a new light rail system, they faced the challenge of creating a system that would attract new riders and be an aesthetically pleasing addition to the community. Arts in Transit (AIT) was formed to create the look of the MetroLink system. Rather than installing public art to decorate the system once completed, AIT engaged a group of six visual artists as part of the design team at the inception of the work.

With no increase in the budget, the design collaboration produced a dynamic transportation system that is unique and native to St. Louis. The designers successfully integrated parts of an existing infrastructure, resulting in a coherent system that has become a new regional landmark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CREDITS...

  • Bi-State Development Agency
  • Arts in Transit
  • Sverdrup Corporation
  • Kennedy Associates/Architects, Inc.
  • Booker Associates, Inc.
  • Kuhlman Design Group
  • Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Inc.
  • LS Transit Systems, Inc.
  • Tod Williams and Billie Tsien
  • Austin Tao and Associates
  • Ann Ruwitch
  • Alice Adams
  • Gary Burnley
  • Leila Daw
  • Michael Jantzen
  • Anna Valentina Murch
  • Jody Pinto

JURY COMMENTS...

The new MetroLink is a fine example of the results of an integrated design process. Engineers, architects, landscape architects and artists collaborated from the earliest stages of design, with the artists' and architects' work not limited to the stations.

The result lives up to its goal of "different by design" but with coherence and a constant level of quality throughout. Particularly notable is the extensive use of existing right-of-way and infrastructure, including two railroad tunnels and an historic bridge.