MAX Westside Light Rail
Portland, OR - 1995
Building on the success of Portland’s Banfield Light Rail line, this project built coalitions between TriMet and west side metropolitan neighborhoods to further the firmly established precedents in economic development and rail transit design.
"Furniture in the shape of typographical characters next to the Oregonian newspaper building represented the numerous original details demanded by the project."
"A bronze soapbox, tree stump and pedestal at the PGE Park station were platforms for spontaneous oratory that resisted wear and skateboard injury."
"When the sun shines on the Goose Hollow station shelters, ghost wings stretch out on the platform."
"The characteristic rail isolation strip, cobblestone paving, and rumble strip on Jefferson Street was an adventure in diplomacy."
"The Goose Hollow Foothills League commemorated their involvement by commissioning a 4ft bronze sculpture of a Goose funded by the sale of bricks that make up the Salmon Station platform."
"The Washington Park station plaza and station platform designs were inspired by the geology of the site and the processes used to mine the twin tunnels 260ft below ground."
"Columnar basalt representing the predominant volcanic rock in the tunnel was used to carry out the plaza's aesthetic scheme. "
My role

Architect on the Washington Park Station in architectural contract documents phase.

Architect and a Project Manager on the downtown rail segment responsible for end-to-end alignment planning, street and station architectural design and  contract documents. Catalyzed consensus for solutions that satisfied multiple engineering constraints while preserving the values vocally expressed by the Goose Hollow neighborhood.
©2008-2010 Max DeRungs
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Other Architecture
Rubies on rails

With 20 stations along 18 miles and a 3-mile tunnel bored through Portland's west hills, TriMet's Blue Line extension was Oregon’s largest public works project at the time. Art was as integral to the team as rails and electricity. It turned each station into a gem along the line. The stations amplified what the community shared in common and celebrated the distinct identity of each neighborhood the Line served.

Tri-Met brought architects, artists and engineers together as equal partners to deftly shape the system and give voice to the Line. ZGF Architects participated in alignment, street and station designs, and ensured that each group made the other's work better. With public art integrated into the work, TriMet hoped the line would reflect the cultural vibrancy of the metro area.

Designs for light rail stations, traffic circulation, street paving, lighting, furnishings, trolley wire suspension, and plantings honored the unique qualities of Yamhill, Morrison, 18th Avenue and Jefferson streets. They brought out the best out of original design intentions through innovative details and ideas for preserving facilities from heavy public use, theft, and graffiti.


























Creativity, rigorous analytical skills, first hand construction experience, and attention to detail resolved engineering concerns, reduced system maintenance costs and turned artists' concepts into meaningful public works.






















By adapting designs block by block, an uncommon rapport developed between community and station resulting in a greater patronage response than previously achieved by comparable systems in America.
"The Salmon Station emerged from 18th street as a center island platform."
"The Communications and Substation buildings at the PGE Park station became Art elements."
Presidential Design
Award

This project won a prestigious Presidential Design Award - the highest honor given to federally funded projects.

"This is a powerful model for other car-oriented cities, showing how well it can be done and how this new technology can be integrated."

Clinton Administration
Design Awards Jury
AIA Honor Award

"The urban design respects the adjoining neighborhoods and adjusts the street character accordingly as it moves through neighborhood zones. A wonderful model for other cities that will improve the everyday life of people who live and work along its length."

AIA Honor Awards Jury
for Excellence in Architecture
and Urban Design