丨美国丨VIA（后为Perkins Eastman Studio）

BART/SFMTA Market Street Entries

San Francisco, CA

VIA—A Perkins Eastman Studio provided lead design for a series of new station entrances, including real-time digital display; retractable, secure gates; LED lighting; public art; and security cameras.

VIA’s team is working closely with transit agency staff to design new canopies for all of downtown San Francisco’s BART/Muni station entrances, one of the region’s major investments in transit customer experience and safety. Installation of the first two canopy prototypes was completed in December, 2018, at Powell Street Station and Civic Center Station. These canopies are the first of what will emerge as 24 entrances along Market Street.

VIA worked with BART staff to introduce new materials and fabrication techniques, and to bring focus to durability, constructability, and high aesthetic quality. A floating horizontal plane above each escalator establishes a recognizable icon to aid way-finding and add security and weather protection. It’s designed to minimize impact to the existing streetscape, be responsive to the unique communities along Market Street, and help realize the placemaking goals of many competing interests.

VIA conducted a series of design charrettes and open house outreach sessions within a compressed, 12-month schedule. The team then collaborated with engineers and fabricators in support of the 100% design drawings, materials testing and public art integration. In coordination with BART’s Art Program Manager, the VIA team also consulted with representatives from SF MOMA and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts to help select and establish public art guidelines. Four artists are now under commission to conceive a unique artistic treatment for each canopy. Installation of all canopies is expected by 2027, in conjunction with the completion of the Market Street Escalators Renovation Project.

This project was designed by VIA prior to becoming a Perkins Eastman Studio.

Project Facts

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), in partnership with San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

Traffic Capacity:

24 Station Entries by 2026

More than 125 million riders each year

Services:

Conceptual Design: decision support; stakeholder engagement

Final Design: public art Integration for Market Street entries

Practice Areas:

Transportation + Infrastructure

Region:

United States

Studios:

San Francisco, Oakland

News

"SPUR Talk: Flowers and Butterflies on Market Street," Streets Blog SF, Nov. 1, 2022

"Canopy Progress Report," San Francisco Station Entrances & Escalators, BART report, July 2022

"New Canopies Being Installed Along Market Street," SFMTA blog, Nov. 13, 2018

"Tigers on Market Street: BART Canopy Living Roofs Project," Nature in the City

Awards

2025 Commendation Award, American Council of Engineering Companies of California Engineering Excellence Awards

Honorable mention for Infrastructure, AN Best of Design Awards