METRO RTA New Maintenance Facility

New maintenance and staff amenities with a LEED Silver goal

The METRO Regional Transit Authority in Akron, Ohio experienced recent growth and innovation at the same time their headquarters and maintenance facility was reaching the end of its useful life. We began with a programming study to determine the extent of their needs before fitting it on a neighboring parcel of available land. The study revealed a need to nearly double their maintenance space, triple their operations space, create previously absent dedicated support space for facilities management, and expand customer service capabilities. The new METRO RTA Maintenance Facility satisfies this ambitious program in a welcoming approachable space.

The new facility’s presence is immediately felt on Kenmore Blvd, the thoroughfare it faces on the north end of the property. This public facing façade is comprised of three complimentary forms; the central glass box marking the main entrance and public areas, and two flanking forms housing the office and driver areas. Each box has material and formal language to complement each other and react to programmatic operation.

As one moves around the building perimeter, away from the public facing front elevation, the materiality shifts to precast concrete panels and translucent panels for the maintenance areas. Clerestory windows with translucent panels drape the periphery, providing quality daylighting and views throughout the building interior. The shift in materials helps demarcate the operator versus service areas and reflects the different role each component serves. The north façade welcomes visitors and establishes METRO’s community presence; the remaining facades prioritize performance to support critical operations.