Seamless urban integration. Vancouver’s Commercial-Broadway Station on the SkyTrain system exemplifies cutting-edge integration with the transit system and public realm. As a major interchange connecting SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium lines with city bus routes, pedestrian pathways and cycling infrastructure, this station forms a vital multimodal transit hub in the city’s transit network. Originally designed as two separate passenger facilities, the Broadway Station opened in 1986 and Commercial Station in 2002. The 2019 unification and expansion project, delivered by our design and construction teams, brought together the two transit lines with efficient connections to buses, forming one highly cohesive, intuitive multimodal hub in the city.

Harmonizing the two distinct building structures posed significant design challenges. Our approach employed a modular, structural mesh canopy that unified the stations visually and functionally. This canopy complemented the Broadway Station’s iconic hoop trusses and provided much needed shelter from Vancouver’s frequent rain while enhancing passenger wayfinding through the inspiring architecture.

Accessibility was another central focus. New pedestrian overpasses, escalators, elevators and signage simplified transfers and reduced congestion. The station features doors that open on both sides of the train, a unique feature of TransLink’s network that improves passenger flow and minimizes boarding delays. We designed the station to accommodate over 50,000 daily travelers — more than Vancouver International Airport — with additional capacity for future network extensions and ridership growth. All features were implemented while maintaining full accessibility and operability at the two stations.

Passenger-centric amenities. In Phoenix, Arizona, the 5.5-mile South Central Light Rail Extension highlights the critical importance of well-designed passenger amenities to enhance the transit experience. Valley Metro adopted an open-station design with features such as shade structures, water fountains and ample seating to create a comfortable and inviting environment. Custom artwork by local artists reflects the identity of the surrounding communities and transforms each station into a unique and welcoming space that encourages repeat ridership.

ArchTam played a pivotal role in the development of the Downtown Hub East Station at CityScape, a standout feature of the South Central Light Rail extension. This station transformed Central Avenue into a pedestrian-friendly transit hub and introduced innovative design solutions that improve passenger flow through the urban environment. A customized side platform design with three sections allows mid-platform crossings, making it easier for riders to access nearby shops and restaurants when a train is not occupying the station. A specially engineered curved platform ensures compliance with accessibility standards by minimizing the gap between train doors and platforms. In lieu of ramps, we used ADA-compliant slopes to ease the transition from sidewalks to platforms. In-pavement lights that flash when a train approaches the station offer additional safety enhancement. All of these factors helped the station integrate seamlessly with the surrounding urban environment.

Scalability. The modular approach to designing the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) in Montreal sets a new benchmark for light rail transit stations. Once completely in service, REM will stretch 42.5 miles (67 kilometers) and encompass 26 stations including at-grade, underground and above-ground facilities. The station design, conceived by a consortium of Lemay, Bisson Fortin and Perkins&Will architects, prioritized efficiency, sustainability and passenger experience while promoting a cohesive architectural identity across the system.

The project was advanced as part of a public-private partnership, delivering standardized station components to streamline construction and minimize cost. Because the facility structure is modular, each station could be carefully tailored to its unique location. For example, urban stations were calibrated spatially and functionally to meet the needs of their densely populated neighborhoods. This approach allowed the stations to address specific site requirements while adhering to the overall unified design aesthetic.

Sustainability and durability were also priorities. The station designs incorporate snow and ice management systems such as heated floors to better manage accessibility throughout the harsh Montreal winter. The design included LED lighting adjusted by automated sensors — and at some stations, solar panels — to help reduce reliance on the energy grid. The clean, minimalist design allows for future network expansions and ridership growth, enabling the addition of new stations without compromising visual or functional consistency.

Future forward. Innovative stations are delivered by design. Beyond solving technical challenges, exceptional designers bring art and science to elevate the passenger experience and urban integration. As seen through exemplar new projects — such as Vancouver’s Commercial-Broadway Station, Phoenix’s South Central Extension and Montreal’s REM — the visionary light rail transit stations of tomorrow serve the public with architectural and engineering excellence that complements the offer of great urban mobility.

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Architect and urbanist Kristopher Takács leads a worldwide team of interdisciplinary professionals who plan, design and deliver passenger facilities, infrastructure and transformative urbanism that shape how people move, connect and thrive.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture? Additionally, reflecting on your career, what have been the most significant milestones that stand out to you?

I’ve always been drawn to the vital role that architects play in bringing people together, unlocking the collective act of problem solving through design, and fueling mission-driven collaboration. Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to partner with exceptionally talented leaders who have pushed the boundaries of architecture. Redeveloping Denver Union Station (DUS) in Colorado into a multimodal hub and transit-oriented development is a particular career milestone that stands out.

Since its initial phases opened in 2014, the redevelopment of Denver Union Station has surpassed what community stakeholders envisioned, resulting in an inviting transit-anchored urban center with new office, retail and residential buildings built around the renovated historic rail station. Our work integrated disparate elements, allowing multiple modes of public transportation to converge at new bus, light rail and passenger rail facilities. Delivered through a public-private partnership, the project spurred the creation of an entirely new walkable, transit-integrated urban neighborhood in less than a decade. The success of Denver Union Station has become a global touchstone for large-scale, mixed-use projects — proving that investment in transportation and civic infrastructure catalyzes private development and smart growth.

2. How will you ensure that our transit-oriented projects positively impact the communities they serve, creating spaces that resonate with the public and provide social value? 

The ultimate aspiration for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is not just great transit or successful neighborhood development but both: equitable urbanism that empowers people to excel. Community-serving TOD must be greater than the sum of its parts by reconciling economic, social and environmental choices in four ways:

1. Optimizing land use and transportation integration.
2. Achieving architectural and urban design excellence.
3. Producing transformational placemaking for people.
4. Stimulating long-term value creation that uplifts communities.

Striking the balance among these four outcomes is the art and science of architecture and urban planning.

3. Given your international experience, how do you plan to leverage your global perspective to bring a unique and influential touch to our transit projects?

My career has been blessed with opportunities to work around the world with clients who are experimenting, adopting new technologies, testing new kinds of partnerships, and disrupting the status quo. Through this work I’ve developed a keen appreciation for the creative leadership and choreography of experts for which architects are especially well suited. Innovators need capable collaborators. At ArchTam, I bring a global perspective to create future-forward multimodal hubs that integrate transit and large-scale mixed-use urban development. I support our Transportation and Buildings + Places experts to leverage design thinking and collectively be the best solution providers and integrators in the industry. I’m always thinking about how to leverage public investment in infrastructure to move the needle in public-serving city building. Our mission is to deliver outcomes that go above and beyond, for the communities of people that these great new facilities and places serve.

4. Looking ahead, what excites you the most about the future of architecture and urban development, particularly in the context of transit-oriented projects?

How we build our world reflects our values. I’m optimistic that we are on the right path to a sustainable, resilient and equitable future that leads to prosperity and peace. The future of our world relies on how citizens interact with our cities and with each other. The freedom of urban mobility unlocks empowerment and fuels democracy. Responsible, beautiful architecture brings joy to society.

I appreciate that we are living in a special time in history. People across the world broadly agree that we should stretch together toward a positive vision of the future that we choose rather than inherit. I see this as a carpe diem moment for us as designers: a window of opportunity for transformational leadership. We have important work ahead to build for the next generations.

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