Jonathan Joa/Waseer Mohammed
2/21/17
Buffalo Research Center/Transportation Upcycle Project
Why Buffalo Central Terminal?
Why Buffalo in General?
Buffalo is our selected area of interest because of its decline over the past few decades.
In the year 1990, the population of Buffalo was approximately 328,117.
In 2013, the city experienced a population decrease to 258,959, a 21% decrease.
The downfall is expected to continue unless there is an up-cycle to its facilities.
One of the most important structures that currently exist is the Buffalo Transportation terminal that runs Amtrak trains in and out of the city. This structure has been deteriorating in the past couple of decades. More recently, in 2016, the roof of a nearby train station in the downtown financial district collapsed. The reason for the collapse is due to heavy wind and rain. This will be an important factor for construction of the new terminal. Keeping the structure very strong and safe is the most important aspect of this project.
Building the new train terminal would save money maintaining the old structure. As a result of the station collapse/partial closure, this leaves Buffalo with less transportation options and could further decrease the population throughout the city. Reviving the train terminal could prevent the further downfall of the population and has the potential to increase the look of the city economically as well. On a daily basis, AMTRAK trains would run in and out of this terminal.
Buffalo’s Exchange Street Station with deteriorating roof and ceilings after a storm involving high winds.
Current Conditions:
Waseer Mohamed:
1. What does the Buffalo Central Terminal look like, in other words, what does the space that the terminal occupies look like?
-Essentially, the Buffalo Central Terminal is comprised of two distinct regions, the main building which houses the interior of the terminal, and an extensive network of railways that trains operate on.
2. What does the interior of the terminal look like, said another way, what are the current conditions of the structure thus far?
-Based off of relatively recent photos, both the interior and exterior of the structure appear to be dilapidated, decrepit and derelict.
* The tower of the Buffalo Central Terminal is 17 stories high.
Plans for Reconstruction:
There are currently a series of plans proposed for the tower portion of Buffalo Central Terminal, not that we plan to exclude the mezzanine as well as the ground level, leaving us with 15 stories of the tower to work with.
1. Medical Research Center
- Labs for students
- Clinical Research
2. Urban Planning
- Broadway Market
- Fresh produce for shop
- Research
- Incubation
- Urban farm
3. Tourist
- Condos/Hotel
- Observatory (Central Terminal Building is one of the tallest building in Buffalo)
- Shop
- Food (Different types of food for everyone in the building)
4. Energy Preservation
- Sun
- Water Purification
- Air Purification for the building
- Various types of material for the windows. (So in winter more sunlight can enter the building).
5. General Office Space
- Conference Rooms
- Cubicles
- Offices
- Lunchroom
6. Civil and Environmental Engineering place
- A lab for Civil engineers where they can construct and deconstruct structures and learn.
- Environmental engineers
Observatory Place
- Two floors tall
- A restaurant is on the top floor.
- Tables are going to be
- Rotating floor so guests can enjoy a 360 view while eating
- Large screen display will inform visitors about the history
Main Lobby
- Museum of locomotive
- Museum of Automotives
- LED uplighting system
- Security Cameras
- New elevators
- LED lighting for the whole building
- Fire suppression system
No comments:
Post a Comment