Los Angeles Metro Rail Vermont / Santa Monica Station

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Architect: Ellerbe Becket

As an integral part of the urban fabric of Los Angeles, Metro Rail Stations are both the same and different at once.   Standardization of equipment leads to economy in maintenance as well as initial construction.   Yet the unique expressions created by various Architect/Artist teams demand creativity in application of this equipment.  The dramatic entry into the Vermont/Santa Monica station is a visual beacon to the neighborhood requiring subtle lighting treatment (bright enough to see from a distance but not to be distracting).   Standard equipment was placed into architectural niches in the supporting fin walls to light the canopy and provide easy maintenance.