MBTA Capstone
Academic- Conceptual Proposal- Cross Section
Architectural Studies Major Capstone Project
May 2021
Tufts University The result was a biosphere conceived for bilevel use, vegetation beginning below grade and rising just above it, intertwining inside and outside, and threading individual-scale detail through a structure that operates at the scale of the city. To achieve this, the main entrance to the subway is a headhouse composed of concrete and glass, modeling its lines after the adjacent city hall while allowing for maximum natural light to facilitate indoor vegetation. A green roof builds upon the ethos of the project, combining sustainability with aesthetic beauty. A secondary outpost for entry/exit to the transit lines below is constructed similarly on a smaller scale. The connective pathway between this and the main entry is outlined with grass and trees to highlight the introduction of natural elements into the entirely concrete plaza. Skylights in the pathway allow for necessary sunlight to penetrate the biosphere. These interventions do not attempt to redefine the collectivist groundwork set by the existing infrastructure, they look to complete it by reintroducing the individual human experience into a space that has long overlooked it.
Cross-Section Drawing- Graphite on Transfer Paper