Hyperloop San Francisco
A concept depicting an overall design for Hyperloop stations using San Francisco as an example.
Architectural Master Thesis 2017
Hyperloop Station Waterfront
The location between Ferry Building and Bay Bridge is perfectly suited for a modern Hyperloop station as an image for progress overlooking the bay. Arrivals experience landmarks right away upon entering the city and residents are visually informed about the Hyperloop – even from the Bay Bridge. New technology needs these kinds of symbols to be fully embraced.
The station itself represents a transformation of a quarter tube leaving the water in which the travelers arrive and ascend into the city. A artificial tank in front of the glass facade right outside of the Gates illustrates San Francisco’s connection with water to the new arrivals. The curved shape of the building guides the people three-dimensionally into the surrounding city.
Hyperloop Station Matson Building
The position right by Market Street and the proximity to Embarcadero Station makes the Matson Building the prime location for a Hyperloop station that connects directly to Downtown as well as an important commuter hub. The historic facade can mostly be kept intact to preserve the building’s exterior since the Gates as well as the connecting walkway to Embarcadero Station are located underneath the ground floor. This connection brings visitors into the mezzanine level of Embarcadero Station and thereby guarantees access to both MUNI and BART trains.
Hyperloop Station Howard/Beale
South of Market is being rebuild to accommodate more high-density constructions and also received the newly constructed Transit Center to improve San Francisco’s public transportation infrastructure. Medium density structures give place to taller buildings that sometimes span whole city blocks. This presents an opportunity to integrate a Hyperloop station into a city block while only using a comparatively small ground floor footprint. The recessed ground floor can then still be used for shops or other surface level functions. The area in front of it is used to access and lighten the lower parts that contain the station. Pedestrian bridges span the gap to connect to the shops.
More information, drawings and diagrams can be found on my website.
