Will Thomas (BSAS), Fall 2021
Third-Year Undergraduate Studio
My design extends the tracks of Chicago's Brown Line into the Albany Park neighborhood. On a monthly basis, a new train car is pulled into the site to be used by community members there. My hope is that the diverse groups that make up the neighborhood will take agency over the train cars, using them as physical canvases to spread identity, pride, and important messages. They may also hold meetings and activities, fostering community engagement. These cars will be re-introduced into the transit system over time, creating a colorful and informative array of Chicago L trains that can be seen and used throughout the city.
A series of arcades frames this trainyard, bridging the gap between transportation, community, and culture.