Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Department

Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

For serving as a tool of westward expansion and industrial growth, the United States owes much of its history to the existence of railroads. Many of the derelict train stations constructed in the early 20th century remain in prominent locations in their cityscape, and through the advent of high speed rail in the United States, could rediscover their importance as the transportation hubs of tomorrow. One such station is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee: The Chattanooga Terminal Station, also known as the “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” In 2016, the Georgia Department of Transportation released the results of a nine-year study on the potential for high speed rail between Chattanooga and Atlanta, Georgia. The results found that a rail corridor along Interstate 75 could handle an expected 11,725 riders per day, featuring 8 stops along the 128-mile route. This project proposes a redesign of the existing Chattanooga Terminal Station that would transform the complex into a high-speed rail station that meets the needs of the 21st century. By examining the history of adaptive reuse, various design approaches, and relevant examples, the project contributes to the conversation surrounding contemporary, sustainable architecture, while providing a compelling solution for the future of Chattanooga’s Choo Choo.

Advisor(s) or Committee Chair

Shahnaz Aly, Neal Downing, Dr. Tom Richmond

Disciplines

Architecture | Urban, Community and Regional Planning

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