California’s ARTIC Named Project of the Year

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The American Public Works Association (APWA) honored California’s Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) with the Project of the Year Award in the Structures category in September. The $185 million ARTIC opened in December 2014 and became the first LEED Platinum transit station in the world.

Los Angeles-based HOK designed ARTIC as a three-story structure with a parabolic form to give the long-span, grid-shell structure a welcoming space with open circulation and a light-filled atrium, according to a statement. Following extensive planning, the project’s groundbreaking occurred in September 2012.

The 67,000-square-foot transit hub features Wausau Window and Wall Systems’ SuperWall systems, which help support the project’s goals for connectivity and transparency, while also meeting seismic performance requirements. ARTIC’s website highlights the environmental and energy-saving benefits of the SuperWall curtainwall noting, “Structurally reinforced insulated glass curtainwall assemblies allow for a natural light transmittance. Exterior glazing at the north and south elevations have low-emissivity coatings. These coatings help reflect unwanted sunlight in the infrared range and reject radiant heat captured by the glazing assembly itself.”

Installed by Tustin, Calif.-based Woodbridge Glass, the SuperWall systems were selected for ARTIC’s exterior entrance level, elevator enclosures and other interior glass elements, according to a statement. At the entrance level, Woodbridge installed 12,910 square-feet of SuperWall to create the custom, exterior glazing system.

Indoor environmental quality was another key attribute noted in ARTIC’s overall sustainable goals and LEED certification. Other goals included water efficiency with low-flow plumbing fixtures, a green cleaning program, 95 percent of construction waste diverted from landfills and energy generation with photovoltaic arrays on the parking shade structures.

ARTIC stands in Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle nearby Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the Honda Center, Disneyland Resort and the Anaheim Convention Center. ARTIC not only serves the area’s current transportation needs, future plans intend to use it as a southern terminus for California’s future high-speed rail system.

With more than 20 million visitors to Anaheim each year, many now pass through ARTIC and link to bus service, regional commuter rail, Amtrak, Anaheim Resort Transportation, shuttles, taxis, bikes, tour and charter buses, and other public/private transportation providers. ARTIC also features 12,000 square feet of transit-oriented retailers, Wi-Fi and charging stations, more than 1,000 parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, bike lockers, a self-service book vending station, community space and specialty dining.

“ARTIC is a community-focused building that will change how people think about public transportation,” said Ernest Cirangle, FAIA, LEED AP, design principal for HOK’s Los Angeles office, at the project’s grand opening. “This iconic facility is a symbol of a new era of public transit and was only made possible because of city leaders’ unwavering commitment to a contemporary and bold design.”