Dos Rios Station

Project Information

The Center for Public Interest Design has begun an exciting collaboration with Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) and other local partners on the design of three light rail stations in Sacramento, California. The Dos Rios Station is the first of the three projects, and will be located on a complex site in the rapidly changing Twin Rivers neighborhood. The CPID led a series of engagement activities throughout the project in order to facilitate a truly participatory design process toward a station architecture that reflects the hopes and needs of the project stakeholders. The CPID is using this opportunity to further explore design strategies for the area that emerged through its multi-year collaboration with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. One critical approach that was identified through this work recognizes that expanding the role that a transit station might play in a community offers opportunities to provide much-needed amenities and placemaking to underserved neighborhoods.  

The Rio Azul design featured in the video above has been chosen to move forward as the design concept for the station. Rio Azul, which literally translated means Blue River, is a scheme for the Dos Rios light rail station that takes its name from the adjacent American River that provides the threshold to Sacramento and the River District. The presence of this river is reflected in this station design’s deep commitment to the ecology of the area and its communities. It’s also present in the design features that create its character, such as the rich blue terrazzo floors and powder coated metal roofs that provide shelter and form the primary identity of this proposal. While originating from the presence of the river, this proposal embraces a wide variety of features that support community, functionality, and sustainability. Conceived of as a key piece of a larger puzzle in a quickly developing neighborhood, the station aims to integrate into its current and future surroundings. From creating shared programming with the neighboring housing development, to expansive solar capacity built into the shade canopy with the potential to support car and bicycle charging stations, to providing space for public toilets on the plaza, to planting ecological gardens that provide natural cooling and rainwater catchment, this station proposes a vision of a facility which enhances the community and acts as one of its must go to public spaces.

The Rio Azul station design concept originated from community feedback and a deep observation of existing train platforms with a desire to improve station circulation, accessibility, and experience. Toward these goals, exploring possibilities within the ground plane led to a strategy of rethinking the required ADA ramp to become a central feature that improves rider experience for both transit users with mobility issues and the general population by decreasing ramp slopes and utilizing the structure as a placemaking element. At the same time, the clear need for shade and shelter allowed the design team to take advantage of the opportunity to produce energy through solar collectors on large roofs. In-between these two planes, a lighter space composed of steel columns was created in order to contain amenities while maintaining high visibility.

In addition to hosting transit and community amenities, the columns also act as light fixtures, punctuating important moments within the station and offering a safe and vibrant space in the night and early morning hours. Four different types of columns were developed, that we have labeled A, B, C and D here, with the peculiarity of having column C “open-able” and “expandable” into two lateral shelves. Indeed, while column A and B are conceived as static containers for transit amenities, such as ticket machines, maps and drinking fountains, the “unfoldable” mechanism of column C allows it to be flexible, able to open and host different types of programs and activities, such as a farmer’s stand for selling fresh food, a need expressed consistently by the local community.

The resulting scheme is a station design that seeks to leverage underutilized opportunities, from the infrastructure investment of ADA ramps, to available space within structural columns, to local partnerships toward a healthier community. With a healthier environment also being a core value, the 1,815 square feet of station roof will both collect significant rain water to feed station plantings and host 110 solar panels which will generate approximately 47,080 kWh per year - the equivalent energy used by approximately 6 American single family houses. The Rio Azul scheme for the Dos Rios station aims to serve as a gateway to the city of Sacramento and key element for the River District that empowers, connects, and supports the local community and ecology.

In December of 2018 it was announced that this project (with associated affordable housing development) was the recipient of a $23 million Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant by the California Strategic Growth Council. The TCC Program funds development and infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health, and economic benefits in California’s most disadvantaged communities, and the Dos Rios Station process and design strategies align perfectly with these goals. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said, “This award represents the integration of everything that matters in our community-- economic growth, inclusion, affordable housing, clean energy, public transportation and mobility options for people who otherwise have limited options."  

Location

Sacramento, California, United States

 

Partners

Sacramento Regional Transit     Sacramento Area Council of Governments     Urban Strategies       SHRA

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