EE&K, a Perkins Eastman Company, and Knutson Construction were recently selected by Hennepin County for their design for ‘The Interchange’ in Downtown Minneapolis. The design-build contract for the $79.3 million transportation hub, which is expected to be completed by 2014, will connect transit with culture. Led by architect Peter Cavaluzzi FAIA, the multidisciplinary team envisions a state-of-the-art transit station with complementary mixed-used development and year-round activated public space. More images and architects’ description after the break.
“The Interchange will be the nexus of transit and culture in Minneapolis, a high-quality series of places for residents and sports fans to connect, circulate, and gather,” said Peter Cavaluzzi FAIA, Principal at EE&K a Perkins Eastman company. “We are proud to be able to work so closely with Hennepin County, Knutson Construction, and the rest of the dynamic team to create a world-class destination for residents and visitors alike.”
At the doorstep of Target Field, The Interchange will become the new “central station square” for Minneapolis, inspiring a new civic identity and community pride in its mix of uses, central location, and iconic, purposeful design—ultimately creating one of the first spaces in the country to truly integrate transit and culture. Taking inspiration from Minneapolis’ distinct seasons and love of the outdoors, the public spaces have been designed to support a variety of activities, ensuring maximum use and comfort. For example, the Cascade, a grand stair reminiscent of Minneapolis’ Saint Anthony Falls, connects the upper and lower plazas and serves as both a movement system for large crowds and a space for smaller social interactions/ performances.
Other features of The Interchange include a Great Lawn, which will be the heart of development: a green ‘stage’ providing new opportunities for large pre-game events, community concerts, and seasonal events, as well as a space for individual activities. The Great Lawn will create valuable green space and a new park for downtown and 250 parking spaces underneath. In the winters, steam from the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center will melt snow and ice from walkways, paths, and stairs. The site development will also include an urban neighborhood plaza with areas for neighborhood bars and eateries, cultural and entertainment spaces, and community events.
The Interchange simultaneously will be a bustling urban park, transit station, and neighborhood gathering space. This one-of-a-kind destination will connect more than 500 trains arriving and departing daily via the METRO Blue Line (Hiawatha LRT), METRO Green Line (Central Corridor LRT) and Northstar Commuter Rail, as well as more than 1,900 daily bus trips, and miles of bike and walking trails.
