The City of Tempe’s transportation center is a true multi-model hub unifying light rail, bus, bikes and pedestrian activity. It is a place where people come together to access jobs, community, education and recreation. The center serves as a connection for the 20-mile METRO light rail, local and regional buses, Zipcar, the city’s transit office and Arizona’s first bike station. Ground floor retail and food service provide amenities for bus and rail patrons, ASU students and visitors. The building also houses the city’s transportation offices, community room and a bicycle cellar with rental, sales and repair services.

The hub’s defining feature is a narrow three-story office/retail building anchored on the west side by the station and a community room that appears to float above an urban terrace. The community room is clad in Alucobond, with its upper face and soffits in custom Spectra Green and its lower face and apron in Platinum. The design is simple, allowing the community room to become a focal point.

The project’s innovative use of sustainable technologies earned it LEED Platinum certification. It features a green roof, a gray water system and a computerized building energy management system. Data collected at the transportation center will be used to demonstrate a significant reduction in potable water use, energy consumption and the amount of recycled stormwater and gray water.