Chicago public transport stations CTA
Project Data
Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
Location | Chicago, IL, USA |
Year | 2015 |
Area | 160 sqm per station |
Status | Competition Entry |
Typology | Public, Competition, Research, Sustainability |
Style | Contemporary, Parametric |
Client | Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) |
Introduction
The CTA Energy Harvesting Station, envisioned by INJ Architects under the leadership of Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji, represents a pioneering exploration into the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and public infrastructure. Submitted as a competition entry in 2015, this project reimagines Chicago’s public transit stations as dynamic hubs that not only facilitate movement but also harness human activity to generate clean energy. Rooted in a deep understanding of Chicago’s urban fabric and cultural identity, the design integrates innovative engineering with a poetic response to the city’s architectural heritage.
Site and Contextual Analysis
Located in Chicago, Illinois, a city renowned for its bold architectural legacy and vibrant public transit system, the CTA Energy Harvesting Station engages directly with the urban and environmental context of the Chicago Transit Authority’s network. Chicago’s climate, characterized by harsh winters, intense summers, and strong winds, demands resilient and adaptive designs. The station’s placement within the dense urban grid, where pedestrian traffic converges at key transit nodes, offers a unique opportunity to capture kinetic energy from human movement. By analyzing foot traffic patterns, the design identifies high-density zones—such as bus exits, where up to 65% of pedestrian activity concentrates—maximizing energy extraction potential. This strategic integration of design responds to the city’s rhythm, transforming transit stations into sustainable urban catalysts.
Design Concept
The conceptual framework of the CTA Energy Harvesting Station is grounded in the idea of architecture as an active participant in environmental stewardship. Drawing inspiration from Chicago’s iconic landmarks, such as the reflective Cloud Gate, the design employs a golden chrome finish to evoke a sense of familiarity and cultural resonance. The station’s form—a series of cylindrical, spiral structures dubbed “Candy Alasa”—is both functional and symbolic. The cylindrical geometry, chosen for its aerodynamic efficiency, provides robust protection against Chicago’s variable climate, including sun, rain, and wind. This architectural project redefines public transit stations as beacons of innovation, blending aesthetic allure with pragmatic energy solutions.
Architectural and Formal Treatment
The station’s massing is articulated through a modular system of lightweight, transparent cylinders, each clad in high-reflectance golden chrome. This material choice not only enhances visual impact but also optimizes solar interaction, allowing 50% light penetration to create a luminous interior environment. The spiral configuration of the cylinders facilitates natural ventilation and pedestrian flow, ensuring seamless integration with the surrounding urban fabric. The interior design prioritizes user experience, with ergonomic seating, intuitive wayfinding, and integrated energy-harvesting surfaces embedded in the flooring. These surfaces capture kinetic energy from pedestrian movement, generating approximately 2 watts per person, which powers the station and feeds surplus electricity to adjacent buildings.
The facade treatment is both a technical and artistic gesture. The reflective chrome surface mirrors Chicago’s skyline, creating a dynamic dialogue between the station and its context. This parametric approach to form-making, characteristic of INJ Architects’ portfolio, ensures that each station is a unique yet cohesive element within the CTA network, categorized under Public and Competition typologies.
Sustainability and Technical Solutions
At the heart of the CTA Energy Harvesting Station is a commitment to sustainability. The design leverages piezoelectric technology to convert pedestrian movement into electrical energy, aligning with global trends in clean energy investment. By generating surplus energy, the station not only achieves operational self-sufficiency but also contributes to Chicago’s energy grid, potentially offsetting its construction costs within three years through energy sales. The use of lightweight, recyclable materials further reduces the project’s environmental footprint, while the cylindrical form minimizes heat loss and enhances structural resilience. This fusion of engineering and research underscores INJ Architects’ dedication to advancing sustainable urban infrastructure.
Team Contribution
Led by Ibrahim Nawaf Joharji, the INJ Architects team approached this competition with a multidisciplinary perspective, combining expertise in architecture, project management, and environmental engineering. The collaborative effort ensured that the design was both visionary and feasible, addressing the complex demands of the Chicago Transit Authority while pushing the boundaries of conventional transit architecture.
Conclusion and Vision
The CTA Energy Harvesting Station is more than a transit hub; it is a manifesto for the future of urban mobility and environmental responsibility. By weaving together design, culture, and sustainability, INJ Architects proposes a model for public infrastructure that empowers communities and inspires ecological awareness. This project, categorized under Sustainability and Research, reflects Chicago’s enduring spirit of innovation, offering a blueprint for cities worldwide to reimagine transit as a force for positive change.