Millennium Line Skytrain Stations

Fast + Epp collaborated with two architectural firms to design four elevated transit stations along the Millennium route, which links Vancouver’s downtown core with Port Moody, via Burnaby and Coquitlam.

Brentwood Station – the signature station for the line – was to resemble an upturned canoe with its sculptural double-curved form. Curved glue-laminated beams were moment connected with riveted plates to an interior steel strut extension and perimeter steel haunches. Spanning between expressive moment frames, a solid 2×4 “shell” and glass side panels maximized spectacular views to the north and south.

At Gilmore Station, our solution embodied an unusual concept – exploiting the flexibility of Timberstrand. We designed a modular system of 64 identical roof panels, supported on a series of simple rectangular steel frames. Panels were arched longitudinally, maintained by a king post and tension cable arrangement on the underside. This ensures the necessary structural depth, creates visual interest and ensures the roof will drain.

Rupert and Renfrew stations, meanwhile, were constructed with cantilevered glulam roof structures supported by interchanges of steel and wood purlins, columns, and struts.

The four stations have have attracted international attention for their precedent-setting use of wood – both structurally for its functional and aesthetic qualities, and as a symbolic return to the material palette of British Columbia’s earliest railroad stations.