BIG converted the former s Transitlager warehouse with an opposite twin: both the old and the new are the same size, born out of the same structural grid, but assuming different massing, geometry, and scales of use. One is straight, the other zigzagged; one is singular, the other serial; one is open and flexible, the other bespoke; public contrasts private while vibrant urban spaces complement private gardens.
Along with the technological development of the transportation system, the Hyperloop Certification Center is the next milestone in demonstrating the operation of the system as a commercial product. An -acre site in West Virginia will include a welcome center, a six-mile certification track, a pod final assembly facility, a product development test center, and training center for operations, safety, and maintenance.
To enhance the passenger experience, the spaces within the new terminal use daylight as a natural wayfinding system. A linear skylight – created by the unfolding roof of the pier – widens toward the central hub and opens up into the atrium where all departing, arriving, and transferring passengers meet. By placing the control tower in its center, the tower is experienced from the inside as a beacon that creates a sense of place, akin to a town square rather than an airport.
Inside, the seating elements and extended arms serve multiple functions including as an entry and egress aid, and as storage for safety equipment, oxygen throughput and lighting. The seats can also be quickly assembled and disassembled for rear equipment access. Having undergone a rigorous and exhaustive safety process, Pegasus demonstrates many of the safety-critical systems that will be found on a commercial Hyperloop system and is equipped with a state-of-the-art control system that can detect off-nominal states and rapidly trigger appropriate emergency responses. The m interior is custom-built with occupant safety and comfort in mind, with the necessary safety equipment and controls built into the furniture.
The base of the building utilizes the maximum area of the site, housing TV studios and , sq ft of retail space over multiple levels. The lobby is connected to the WTC transit hub, providing direct access to subway lines and PATH trains. A public plaza at the foot of the building and access to shopping and restaurants in the adjacent transportation hub and concourses will ensure life and activity in and around the new World Trade Center.