When the structural skeleton of the Silver Line Phase 1 was completed last year, it became pretty evident to those who didn’t realize it before that the concept for the mega-project lacked a bit of first floor imagination. Let’s point something out as a preface though; infrastructure projects and their contractors should not be in charge of aesthetic decisions… it’s a dilution and waste of money to ask a company like Bechtel to make something look better.
Now that Phase 1 is complete (well we hope) Fairfax County looks to improve the looks of the Silver Line with some cost effective solutions that can minimize the visual impact of the above ground line. One should realize, before throwing stones, that Route 7 and 123 weren’t really beautiful before the Silver Line so there is only so far aesthetic improvements can go without dealing with the stroad nature of those corridors. That being said, some improvements to the trestles can really help break the concrete and pavement repetitiveness.
So which concept do you like the best?
A criss-crossing lit fiber optic cable concept that will run the length of the above ground rail line through Tysons.
A fiber optic trellis system sits adjacent to the metro line to draw the eye. At the ground level an old metro car is reutilized as pop up retail in order to activate both the ground plane and the air plane.
A metal cablet system anchored by energy producing wind turbines extends out from the metro station on Route 123, while pavers, intersection improvements, and landscaping help to provide a human element. 10′ screens would climb the trestles covered in vines.
Capturing the energy of the Silver Line, this design proposes locating wind turbines on the station caps to receive the airflow created by passing trains. Under the tracks LED lights would open otherwise dark spaces.
A tongue and cheek homage to Tysons dealership past, this design proposes using recycled salvaged car parts as benches and facade elements for the pillars. Truck tailgates as seating and used tires for wall coverings certainly would create a unique identity.
The Silver Line as a green ribbon, this concept proposed opening the areas below the line as a multi-use trail and landscape system that helps people get around without getting on busy streets. This concept also aligns well with a VDOT concept for Route 7 road/pedestrian improvements which were presented earlier this year.
Deck Route 7, the most ambitious perhaps of the design concepts, proposes returning the airspace currently absorbed in Route 7 traffic to the city by lowering the road. Unfortunately the logistics and costs of this concept likely make it prohibitive, but perhaps if one were to propose decking Route 123 it could be possible.
When the structural skeleton of the Silver Line Phase 1 was completed last year, it became pretty evident to those who didn’t realize it before that the concept for the mega-project lacked a bit of first floor imagination. Let’s point something out as a preface though; infrastructure projects and their contractors should not be in charge of aesthetic decisions… it’s a dilution and waste of money to ask a company like Bechtel to make something look better.
