Las Vegas, a city known for its disregard of sustainable practices, has recently recognized the design potential that a high-speed rail network could offer to the city. “Desert Xpress”; a rail line that would connect Victorville, CA, to Las Vegas, would help reduce energy consumption generated by cars and encourage public transit. Located along Route I-15 and adjacent to the famous Las Vegas Strip, the new High-Speed Rail Station would serve as a destination point for tourists and a new landmark for the city. The building would promote sustainability and low energy consumption by incorporating passive design strategies such as sun shading, thermal mass, and natural ventilation, as well as active design strategies such as photovoltaic panels, green roofs, and water conservation. The design intent is to recognize the importance of Transit-Oriented Design in America, especially in a car dependent city such as Las Vegas, by incorporating a multitude of uses integrated in one harmonious structure. 


For additional information, please contact Brandon Young at byoung5@kent.edu. 

To me, a design concept is essential to every project, every design. Its what leads the design throughout the entire design process. My initial design concept is usually a simple thought then jotted down on paper in a sketch form. The sketch evolves into a series of diagrams, possibly further sketches and design iterations. The most important part about a concept is that it guides the design process; the designer is constantly referring to the concept when making design decisions and producing drawings.
 

For this project: The Las Vegas High Speed Rail Station, the concept was simple: taking a vertical motion of a hotel tower, combined with the horizontal motion of a railway, and creating a dynamic, fluid form that represents the comprehensive function of both elements.

situated along interstate I-15, the las vegas high speed rail station will serve as the main transit hub for las vegas, using the ‘desert xpress’ hsr line from los angeles. the use of hsr in las vegas will reduce vehicular traffic from california and encourage public transportation. the building is a monogeneous structure with a variety of program types ranging from a high speed rail station to a hotel and casino. the layout of these spaces was determined by the proximity of user function as well as the linear path brought on by the high speed rail. as the horizontal rail meets with the terminal and shopping center, the form in thrust upwards in a curvilinear motion. the point of collision becomes the node through which all the programs are connected. this massive atrium space is surrounded by a shopping center, casino, hotel, and terminal. together all of these programs are designed to work in harmony with one another for the betterment of the terminal station for which the design is based off of.