Team collaboration and thought leadership—design solutions address a challenging site

Commuter Rail Operations and Maintenance Facility – Denver RTD

As part of the Mountain Air Transit Partners team competing for Denver’s Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Eagle Public Private Partnership (P3) Project, we provided conceptual design and planning for the proposed commuter rail maintenance facility (CRMF). Our design for the building met LEED 3.0 Silver standards through attention to detail, an attractive environment, the right equipment, and easy and safe access to vehicles being inspected, serviced and repaired. Natural daylighting, optimized ventilation, and a super insulated thermal envelope also contributed to a design that would decrease operational costs and contribute to a sustainable community

The design for the CRMF building has two service and inspection tracks (four positions), two shop tracks (three shop positions), wheel truing machine position, and an administration wing that includes the operations control center, and the parts room and warehouse. Also designed for the site? A 20,000 square foot maintenance-of-way building and a train washing building with an automated washing system that uses recycled water.

Ultimately, the Mountain Air Transit Partners team was not awarded the project, but our design for the CRMF was recognized by three chapters of the American Institute of Architects with three Merit Awards for Design Excellence in the unbuilt category.