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Maintenance bay with Photo © Halkin Mason Photography Roof terrace, shaded Photo © Halkin Mason Photography
north-facing skylights above. by photovoltaic panels.
Public entrance to the Car Barn Training Center, next to a Photo © Halkin Mason Photography
glass wall allowing views into the maintenance bay.
and beams that recall the porticos of the historic structures. the rooftop terrace, which is shaded on sunny days by a grid of
Large windows allow passersby to glimpse the streetcar photovoltaic panels that help to power the facility.
maintenance activity within. Bright yellow railings, ladders, and Sustainable design strategies include the use of automated
other elements inside the main space pick up on the similarly exterior shades that reduce solar heat gain on hot days,
colored accents on the mostly red streetcars. coupled with a passive cooling system in which warm air in
In stark contrast to stereotypical industrial facilities of the maintenance bays is exhausted through operable skylights.
the past, the new car barn is a bright and pleasant workplace, In cold weather, radiant heating in the concrete floors warms
thanks not only to the large windows but also to sawtooth- areas occupied by workers without wastefully heating the entire
shaped, north-facing skylights, which admit glare-free light over space. In addition, a large cistern at one corner of the building
the maintenance bays. Flexible conference spaces on the second collects stormwater, which is recycled for use in the streetcar
floor, used primarily for employee training, are also available washing track.
for community events. During breaks, employees may enjoy
THE ARCHITECTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE 21