The Alaska Railroad Bill Sheffield Depot, designed by San Francisco-based KMD (Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz) with Kumin Associates Inc., is a $28 million award-winning showcase with high-tech appeal that interprets people’s fascination with the spectacular aurora borealis, or northern lights. More than a passenger depot, the Modern rail station provides a new example of destination architecture, supporting Alaska’s vision of being a world-class place to be, the architects report.

To the station architects, the destination is the end to the means. The architects explain that “passengers and visitors arriving in Anchorage by air and sea are greeted by a warm glow coming from an icy backdrop appearing from a distance. The station, a colorful beacon that mirrors the spectacular patterns of glimmering lights in the sky, celebrates the wonders of nature.”

Skylights spanning the 25-foot-high vaulted ceilings capture the light. Smooth aluminum panels that frame towering glass window walls bend and cast the light into the night sky, creating a warm glow that constantly changes as one nears the station. A backdrop of the Chugach Mountains completes the design, evoking a sense of discovery amidst magnificent landscape. “The rail station brings the intrigue of the sky into a welcoming center to greet and tantalize visitors with the natural splendors of Alaska,” says Herb McLaughlin, AIA, KMD’s design director.

The tunnel linking the rail station to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport offers another unique “sky” experience. As travelers step onto the 154-foot, two-way “people mover” walkway, shafts of tri-colored light simulate the luminous atmosphere of the northern lights. Fiber-optic technology recreates the dance of energy particles and air molecules across the arched ceiling, accompanied by synchronized hues and sound.

The project has received a citation from AIA Alaska and accolades from the Sierra Club.

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