Christner was the schematic design architect for the nine stations of the MetroLink Cross County Extension, which begins at the Forest Park Station and terminates in Shrewsbury. As part of the A/E team for this large public works project, our role focused on schematic design of the stations, surrounding sites and pedestrian approaches. We organized charrettes with Arts in Transit that engaged artists, architects, engineers, and the community in conceptualizing the design and focusing on the users' experience. This project builds on Christner's designs of the earlier stations, including the award-winning Lambert International Airport station.
Size: 9 stations
Status: Schematic Design completed 2002, Construction completed 2006
Noise buffering at the Forsyth Station was augmented by a series of sculptural fins, installed as part of the Arts in Transit program.
An innovative design for the Skinker and Big Bend stations incorporated mezzanines and walkways above the tracks connecting the platforms. The added depth allowed for the expression of dramatic structural vaulting.
The final form of the Big Bend station, among others, stayed true to Christner's schematic design. The Arts in Transit program enhanced the station design with an LED light installation that responds to train and pedestrian movements.
Christner designed the MetroLink stations along the original alignment, including the Lambert International Airport station. The design received the 1995 AIA St. Louis Honor Award for Architectural Excellence.
The heart of our design at Lambert is the escalator enclosure inserted into a fifteen-foot wide slot between the old International wing and the newer 'D' concourse.
Christner's design for the Airport station canopy relates to the inverted pyramid of the elevator/escalator tower, itself a design response to the Airport's control tower.
