Patsaouras Plaza/El Monte Busway Station

Los Angeles, CA

EE&K was hired as the architect, working with STV engineers, to expand Patsaouras Plaza at LA’s Union Station for BRT users of the El Monte Busway. As a key component of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Express lanes pilot project, the program aims to reduce traffic congestion on LA’s busiest freeways.

EE&K’s design for the El Monte Busway Station will create a first-class transit experience for commuters. The contemporary design elevates the quotidian, oftentimes uninspiring commuter experience, and makes transitions between transit modes safer and more convenient. Building on the existing vocabulary of the plaza, the new design re-imagines the grand civic character of the original in its generous pedestrian promenade that descends into a lushly landscaped courtyard. From the trellised pedestrian promenade to the brightly-lit boarding area and intuitive wayfinding, the design sensitively supports and enhances the design goals of the original plaza while providing a new iconic presence for public transit on the highway.