John W. Olver Transit Center
Project site: Brownfield
Building program type(s): Office – 10,001 to 100,000sf, Public Assembly – General
The first net zero energy transit center constructed in the United States, the John W. Olver Transit Center is a vital intermodal hub that has introduced high-performance design to Massachusetts. The project, a depot for bus lines, Amtrak, and an office for the county’s government, is testament to Franklin County’s commitment to sustainability and ethical design. Shaped by a continuous process of community engagement, the center’s design pays homage to the city of Greenfield’s past, relying on dark brick, copper, and locally sourced stone that allow it to slip seamlessly into the city’s stately downtown district. The center forges a new paradigm for historically energy-dependent structures of its kind and, in doing so, has generated positive economic impact while spurring sustainable urban revitalization.
Integration
The John W. Olver Transit Center, located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, is the first net zero transit center in the United States. It was funded in part by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The 24,000-square-foot intermodal transit hub has introduced high-performance design to Franklin County, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and ethical design. The project is a depot for regional and interstate bus lines, a station for Amtrak’s Vermonter and Valley Flyer lines, and an office for the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
From xeriscaping to sustainable technologies, this project brings a broad range of ecological and environmental values to the heart of the community. The design process fostered a multidisciplinary effort that integrated engineering, building technology, architecture, and landscape architecture into a seamless holistic design. Architectural decisions benefited from real-time feedback with respect to energy modeling optimization.
The design team worked closely with the community and identified two important objectives early in the design process: The transit center needed to connect to the city’s historic architecture, materiality, and urban fabric; it also needed to be healthful, sustainable, and net zero. The project has become a central public space within the city and is used for community meetings and gatherings. It also has increased accessibility to public transportation. The design process was made accessible to all members of the community through facilitated programming and design workshops, through sustainability charrettes, and in the definition of project aspirations. The process engendered the creation of an equitable design that promotes sustainability, stewardship, and a connection to the landscape and ecosystem.
While the building’s massing and the exterior materials—brick, copper, and locally sourced stone—respectfully mimic the stately brick buildings in the historic downtown district, the transit center is a radical departure from these inefficient, energy-guzzling structures. The building’s western brick façade may pay homage to the past, but its perforated-brick construction screens western-facing glass from the late-afternoon summer sun. The final goal of the project was to serve as a catalyst for sustainable urban revitalization. According to city officials, the project has had a positive economic impact and is credited with stimulating environmentally responsible development in the city and region.
The process engaged the community repeatedly during design, and as a result, the project is perceived by citizens as a successful expression of community needs, values, and aspirations. In a city with many well-crafted, historic buildings, it is easy for the community to appreciate the contextual exterior materials of brick and copper. The community values the design for its social awareness and inclusivity, ecological sensitivity, connection to the city and the landscape, durability, economy, low operating costs, healthful interior spaces, and its net zero sustainability in response to the climate crises.
Site plan of John W. Olver Transit Center. Image: Charles Rose Architects, Inc.
