Today is World Architecture Day, an annual celebration of architectural achievements and the people who design them. At Michael Baker International, our Architecture Practice balances the pragmatism necessary to deliver achievable design solutions to our clients with the desire of each one of our architects and building engineers to improve our built environment, including public spaces, workplaces and our communities, while reducing adverse environmental impacts. From simple and effective architectural solutions to iconic architectural statements, our Architecture team is Making a Difference for our clients from coast-to-coast.
The Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center (JRTC) at LaVilla in Jacksonville, Florida, is just one example of how our Architecture team is marrying form and function to achieve a spectacular result.
Michael Baker, as part of a joint venture team, provided design services for a state-of-the-art regional transportation center in the LaVilla neighborhood in Jacksonville’s downtown district. The $57.5 million combined mass transit hub improves the flow of traffic by integrating multiple modes of transportation, including local and regional bus networks, taxis, rental car services, elevated rail service, bike share, car share, and any future rail service. An elevated urban plaza also features a large open area with mixed-use retail opportunities.
The JRTC at LaVilla’s central artistic and architectural innovation is the glass curtainwall, a progressive design hallmark envisioned to express acceleration and mirror client Jacksonville Transportation Authority’s philosophy of transportation. To achieve the iconic look, the team worked with the glazing manufacturer, creating a striking interlocking design of triangular and trapezoidal shapes that were printed on the glass. The coloring process involved printing the ink on the glazing to achieve two separate colors on the same piece of glass, an uncommon feat. The panels were assembled in a factory, accelerating construction and reducing costs, then hung like puzzle pieces on the façade. In addition to aesthetics, the curtainwall enhanced sustainability, allowing for natural daylighting. This impressive Architectural centerpiece is on display for the thousands of passengers that travel through the JRTC at LaVilla each day.
In honor of World Architecture Day, we also caught up with Chantal Frances and Caroline Scorzelli, two colleagues in our Architecture Practice, to chat about their roles and the industry at large.
Chantal Frances, Architectural Department Lead
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 3, 2023
