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This infill station was proposed to serve daily neighborhood needs and accommodate crowds for United Center events. The concept features legible elements that guide passengers: a transparent Station House with monumental stair, two elevator towers, and a soaring bridge over a public plaza—all celebrating Chicago's architectural character. A refined material palette reinforces the concept: southern elements are "grounded" in cast-in-place concrete, while northern elements "float" above the sidewalk in exposed steel. A mass timber roof defines the Station House interior, and the Bridge spans between platforms, connecting inbound and outbound sides.
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The station provides access to and from a West Side neighborhood that has been underserved for more than a generation following the removal of an original station on this site in the 1940s. The station’s addition makes it easier for people to get to and from work, school, and other destinations, and facilitates connections for visitors arriving for events at the United Center, the Illinois Medical District, Malcolm X College, and local businesses - supporting what’s already there while creating new opportunities. The station’s architecture creates a memorable sense of place that is identifiable in the larger transit network, while its visibility in from the adjacent context allows passengers to easily identify access points. The plaza’s addition is a new civic space for the community.
Natural ventilation is used in the station’s public areas to reduce dependency on mechanical systems, greatly reducing the carbon impact of the station over its lifetime. The exterior envelope is detailed to allow for air circulation while protecting passengers from wind and precipitation. A mass timber roof deck is left exposed as the Station House’s ceiling. This biophilic material increases passengers’ sense of well-being. Bird-friendly glass is used at all Station elevations to reduce the risk of bird strikes. An extensive green roof on the Station House reduces the rainwater burden on the municipal sewer system and supports local ecology. Intermodal connections are accommodated with an integrated bus stop and bike parking, encouraging non-vehicular sustainable transportation.
The Damen Green Line station demonstrates beautiful, functional, and socially conscious design which elevates daily transit experiences and serves as a catalyst for community development and environmental stewardship. It provides transit access to a historically under-resourced West Side neighborhood, opening connections to employment, education, and health opportunities. The thoughtful integration of artist Folayemi Wilson's mural creates a profound sense of place that honors the area's rich cultural history and welcomes visitors. The station sets new standards for inclusive transit design through intuitive wayfinding, abundant natural light, and clear sightlines that serve users of all abilities. Transparent materials and an open plan enhance safety and seamlessly integrate multiple transportation modes - rail, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian access. The project demonstrates sustainable design excellence through natural ventilation of public spaces, an extensive green roof, bird-friendly glass, and the strategic use of low-carbon materials, including mass timber. These features significantly reduce the station's environmental impact. The project also overcame extraordinary logistical challenges, including maintaining continuous Green Line service during construction and executing the dramatic installation of the Pedestrian Bridge.
The Damen Green Line Station shows the potential for infrastructure to act as a civic and cultural symbol,” says Ralph Johnson, firmwide design director and co-design director of our Chicago studio. “It’s more than a point of transit—it’s a welcoming, inclusive public space that reflects the character and aspirations of the Near West Side. Thoughtful design has the power to reconnect communities, support local identity, and inspire future growth.”
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place. That’s why clients and communities on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about human centered design and committed to creating a positive impact in people’s lives through sustainability, resilience, well-being, diversity, inclusion, and research. In fact, Metropolis named us “Firm of the Year” in 2022 for our industry leadership in advancing climate action and social justice. Fast Company named us one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture three times, and in 2021, it added the firm to its list of Brands That Matter—making us the only architecture practice in the world to earn the distinction. Our global team of over 2,600 creatives and critical thinkers provides integrated services in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and more.
