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Jones Studio’s Rail Yard Oasis Border Station

<a href='http://www.jonesstudioinc.com/'>Jones Studio’s</a> expansion of the Mariposa Land Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz., welcomes visitors and returning residents back to the United States with an illuminated canopy of red, white and blue; the welcome mat centerpiece to a border station they describe as “a cultural connection, rather than a division.” All images courtesy of Jones Studio.

An aerial rendering of the new land port of entry. The border station (Arizona’s largest) handles more travelers than the JFK and LAX airports combined. Nearly $13 billion of commercial merchandise roll through its gates each year, as does 45 percent of all produce consumed in the United States.

The station’s succinct circulation plan divides northbound commercial trucking lanes from north and southbound personal vehicles with a landscaped "oasis" in the middle.

Conceptually, Jones Studio organized the land port of entry as an oasis rail yard; long, linear circulation paths centered on a lush, green hub of activity. This landscaped, narrow strip will be planted with native plants and trees. Canopies and pergolas will offer visitors a chance to step off the highway and connect with nature in relaxing, restful surroundings.

A rain water harvesting system will collect run-off, and store 1 million gallons of water on site.

Photovoltaic panels will act as parking canopies for cars. Phoenix-based Jones Studio is targeting LEED Platinum for the project.

Inside, the pedestrian processing center (as well as the vehicle waiting area) repeats the red chromatic theme from the south entrance. The border station is scheduled to be complete by 2013 or 2014, and was recently honored with an <a href='http://aia-arizona.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Press-Release-2010-Design-Award-Winners.pdf'>AIA Arizona Merit Award</a>, and a <a href='http://gsa.gov/portal/content/225025'>General Services Administration On-the-Boards Design Excellence Award</a>.

The 53-acre site will be home to 350,000 square feet of buildings. Inside, the border station’s offices will take advantage of abundant natural light.

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