MXC Transportation Center-Gateway

Abstract

Students in this studio were asked to study the planning principles of a 1960’s “new town” that was proposed for west-central Minnesota, the Minnesota Experimental City(MXC). They were then asked to imagine a new or hybrid typology based on these principles, select a site as if the city had been built in the urban or rural settings that were proposed northwest of Alexandria, and design a building, circa 2011. This project is a transportation center hovering above exit 90 on I-94. It is positioned at the first exit into the MXC acting as a gateway for travelers. Here travelers and workers can enjoy under-building parking, before emerging to the main floors where they can relax at the cafe, or catch one of the personal rapid transit pods.