ASCE Los Angeles Section

The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is located at 2626 East Katella, Anaheim, CA 92806, Orange County, California.  Located on 16 acres owned by the City of Anaheim, the site is bounded by Katella Avenue, State Route 57, the Santa Ana River, the Los Angeles to San Diego (LOSSAN) rail corridor, and Douglass Road.

Overview. The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) opened on December 13, 2014 and is a significant vision of public transportation infrastructure realized in the City of Anaheim and centrally located in Orange County, California. ARTIC is an iconic 67,000 square foot transit hub that brings together an array of transportation services: Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) (bus service), Metrolink, Amtrak, Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART), shuttles, taxis, bikes, tour and charter buses, and other public/private transportation providers. ARTIC is located on 16 acres and offers a public plaza/drop‐off area, 13 bus bays, state‐of‐the art rail platforms, commuter biking facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, a self‐service book vending station, Wi‐Fi, commuter‐friendly tenants including The Oyster Bar, Ritter’s Steam Kettle Cooking, Mission Market Express, The Lost Bean Organic Coffee and Tee, and The Alchemists, and finally almost 1,100 parking spaces.  ARTIC is estimated to realize 10,000 trips per day in year one and 540,000 Metrolink and Amtrak passengers annually.

“ARTIC is a community‐focused building that will change how people think about public transportation,” said Ernest Cirangle, FAIA, LEED AP, design principal for HOK’s Los Angeles office.  He added, “This iconic facility is a symbol of a new era of public transit and was only made possible because of city leaders’ unwavering commitment to a contemporary and bold design.” The ARTIC transportation hub and mixed‐use activity center will increase community mobility options and is a model for energy efficiency, while promoting sustainable living.  In streamlining mobility throughout this beautiful yet densely populated region, ARTIC supports population and tourism growth, housing, and employment opportunities. ARTIC is the first LEED Platinum Certified transit station in the world. Construction commenced September 2012 and ARTIC opened on schedule, welcoming its first visitors at the grand opening celebration on December 13, 2014.  The 120‐foot‐tall, 67,000 square foot project, is known as “…the most complicated steel structure ever attempted,” by the American Institute of Steel Construction. The public‐private project had a budget of $188 million (environmental, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction).  This iconic transportation facility serves three million Orange County residents as well as more than 40 million visitors annually.

Architectural and Structural Engineering Masterpiece. Inspired by the great rail stations of the past, the aesthetic and architectural vision required a precision mapped geo‐grid plan of high accuracy. The interdisciplinary design team of HOK and Parsons Brinckerhoff focused on efficient, parabolic shell geometry through the design of a series of compound curves swept on a torus.  The team used building information modeling (BIM) to clearly communicate the design and develop the complex form, geometry and functions while achieving goals of sustainability.

The curtain wall, ethylene tetrafluoreothylene (ETFE) roof, and main entrance, are dictated by 15,000 geo points [in design model].  Each of the points has an X, Y and Z axis down to a millionth of an inch.  Two parabolic glass walls at the north and south ends and metal panel walls on the sides support the 40 complex symmetrical arches. John Beck, Jr., owner of Beck Steel Inc. says, “We had to abandon any conventional methods of construction.  Every piece and part of the shell structure is unique.  We had to understand that conventional methods were out the window.” The building is curved in two directions. David Herd, managing partner with BuroHappold North America, the engineer for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and the building envelope comments, “The building slopes from a high point on the north to a lower point on the south, and curves from east to west.  So effectively, it becomes an exercise in how you optimize the number of points to satisfy that geometry and associated shapes.”
 
The shell serves not only as a structural element but also as an architectural element and an iconic regional landmark.  The structural‐steel shell is clearly visible through the façade, creating a variety of impressive visual effects. The shell consists of 14‐inch hollow steel‐petroleum piping that forms the 40 arches; the arches enclose a glass curtain wall hung from 7/16‐inch stainless‐steel cables.  The cables hang from the structural‐steel columns at the north and south ends.  Another system, comprising of 8‐foot x 8‐foot aluminum‐metal panels integrated with a glazing system, encompasses the east and west sides from the ground level to 36 foot high.  Tolerances were held to 1/8‐inch.  At the 36‐foot mark, the ETFE roof system begins with 160 cushions attached to some 3,000 steel supports.  The more than 200,000 square feet of translucent ETFE polymer pillows proved the most appropriate material for the long spans, light and flexible. The enclosure for the dia‐grid shell will be the largest application of ETFE membrane pillow system in North America.  Tolerances of interactions among members are fractions of an inch.  The Texlon® cladding incorporates a frit that allows for generous light transmission into the building, while maintaining optimal solar control and perfect ambient temperatures. Operable louvers at the top of the north and south curtain walls open to allow for natural ventilation.  Hot and cold water is piped through the radiant floors controlling the temperature on each level.  The architect added more than 600 strips of LED lights below the ETFE to accentuate the diamond shape of the panels, making ARTIC equally recognizable and iconic at night.

Sustainable Engineering. Sustainability is at the heart of ARTIC’s innovative design, construction, operation, maintenance, and financial feasibility.  In August 2006, the Anaheim City Council adopted The Green Connection, in order to accommodate the principles of short‐and long‐term environmental soundness and sustainability.  In adherence with this Resolution, which includes an overall citywide goal of 20% reduction in energy use and a 15% reduction in water use by 2015, the goal was established to obtain U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum certification for ARTIC. LEED‐certified buildings are more efficient to operate.  The certification process will assist in managing the efficiency of the ARTIC building through its entire lifecycle, and to provide validation of measures taken to increase short‐and long‐term sustainability.  Architectural and sustainable building design strategies and practices for ARTIC will dramatically reduce energy use, water use, solid waste production, and carbon emissions through coordination of transportation modes and efficient land use. 

Short‐term benefits include improved ease and efficiency of alternative transportation and mobility; avoiding depletion or degradation of natural resources; decreased energy costs; increased health benefits; decreased solid waste diverted to landfills; improved urban forest and local air quality; economic stimulus; job creation; ideal model for building sustainability; and provides the public with immersive educational opportunities. In operation, the building uses 30‐50% less energy by taking advantage of natural ventilation and radiant heating and cooling elements in the floor. Photovoltaics panels in one of the parking areas generate 20% of the energy required to operate the facility.
Long‐term environmental benefits of the ARTIC include reducing the City’s potential risks and costs from environmental impacts by:  consolidating modes of public transit; reducing carbon footprint; reduction in air emissions (including greenhouse gases;) increasing local air quality; preserving natural resources; cost savings over the life of the building; investing in emerging technologies; increasing energy efforts by taking advantage of climate conditions (sun, wind, and shading) through design and materials; optimizing landscaping and open space areas using drought tolerant plant materials and using reclaimed water for irrigation and flushing; maximizing water retention harvested with the use of re‐useable water; and maintaining a high quality of life for future generations, residents and visitors.

Environmental goals and benefits of the ARTIC:
• Reduce energy consumption up to 50% through innovative materials and applications that meet or exceed Title 24 requirements as compared to standard building construction practices.
• Reduce potable water consumption up to 30‐55% as compared to standard building construction practices through new indoor/outdoor water conservation fixtures, drought tolerant landscaping, and reclaimed water use.
• Reduce storm water run‐off up to 50% as compared to pre‐site conditions by retaining (underground storm capture systems and bio swales) as much water as feasible on site with minimal off-site overflows.
• Reduce up to 80% construction waste and up to 75% operational waste reductions through recycling.
• Reduce air emissions by consolidating modes of travel through transit. Reducing CO2
emissions and greenhouse gases in support of AB 32 and SB 375.
• Increase energy efforts by taking advantage of climate conditions (sun, wind, and shading) through design and materials.
• Reduce carbon footprint through use of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roofing material (lightweight, insulation and self‐cleaning properties, superior durability, and excellent light transmission).
• Optimize landscape and open space areas by utilizing drought tolerant materials and plantings; maximize water retention and harvesting for re‐use. 
• Use of Ground Water Replenishment System, through a partnership with Orange County Water District, to use reclaimed water for cooling towers, toilet flushing and irrigation.
• Use of Electric Vehicle charging stations to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles to minimize air pollution and improve air quality.

The ARTIC facility is a huge step to improving public infrastructure by relocating the old Metrolink boarding station (in the Angel Stadium of Anaheim parking lot) to the new facility strategically located between Honda Center and Angel Stadium, off SR‐57 at Katella and a short distance from Disneyland Park and the Anaheim Convention Center. It is anticipated ARTIC will serve approximately 10,000 commuters a day.  The City has also enhanced the Santa Ana River Trail for walkers and bicycle riders to come right up to the ARTIC facility and use on-site bike lockers, bike racks, or board the train or bus with their bicycle. ARTIC has provided greater feasibility for other modes of transportation including larger more convenient and centrally located bus bays and vehicle accessibility off SR‐57.

Centralized Location Offers Remarkable Benefits. Transportation goals and benefits of a centralized location and connecting multiple systems include:
• Reduced miles traveled on freeways and local streets addressing AB 32 and SB 375. AB 32 is California legislation requiring California to reduce its GHG emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.  SB 375 is California legislation that set regional targets for GHG emissions reductions from passenger vehicle use. 
• The ARTIC enhances mobility choices to events and destination centers with the potential to generate an additional population surge of up to 250,000 people per day to the City’s sports and entertainment venues such as: The Anaheim Resort, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim Convention Center, and Honda Center.  This can lead to reduction in miles traveled on freeways and local streets, resulting in less air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• The ARTIC connects to existing Metrolink, Amtrak and OCTA bus services, and will enable connectivity to emerging transit services including the proposed Anaheim Rapid Connection (ARC) Fixed‐Guideway and future rail projects.
• The proposed ARC link at ARTIC will serve major residential, office, commercial, sports, convention and entertainment activity centers in the Platinum Triangle and The Anaheim Resort.
• The future High‐Speed Rail service will offer new commuter service to northern California providing an alternative to air and vehicle travel.
• The ARTIC connections reduce vehicle miles traveled, and improve bus, and shuttle service options on local and regional streets and highways providing a critical last mile connection for transit users.
• The ARTIC was funded through a collaboration of federal, state, county and local agencies for up to $188 million; this level of investment helped stimulate the local economy.
• The ARTIC created 5,000 new jobs during and after construction including construction industry job creation (consultants, contractors, and construction workers) and wage earners who work in Orange County benefiting and inevitably spending more in Orange County’s retail, hospitality, medical, educational, and housing industries.
• Revenue generation from its destination restaurants, retail, and vendors.
• Future economic benefits include Public Private Partnership (P3) opportunities in the vicinity of ARTIC, additional job creation, and increased sales tax revenue.
• Additional economic benefits include supporting access to local businesses and increased transportation options for employee commutes.

1) Power of Partnering. The ARTIC project employed a unique partnering model called From Good to World Class® approach.  This approach was found to be extremely effective in improving overall project quality, project safety, relationships and job satisfaction, resolution of issues and prevention of delays, and adherence to project schedule and budget.  Utilizing the From Good to World Class® partnership approach, the atmosphere is “friend helping friend.”  Resolution conflict was minimal.  Relationship building was key to the massive reduction in change order percentage, safety, and local hiring. The change order percentage for such a complicated structure could easily be 15 to 20%, and this would be considered “industry standard.”  However, we are convinced that the From Good to World Class® partnering process is the main reason the ARTIC change order percentage remained at an all‐time low of 5 to 8%. 

2) Iconic Structural Design. ARTIC is not a “tilt up” building that is the norm in today’s construction industry (which is fast and inexpensive).  ARTIC is an engineering marvel.  As mentioned in the previous section, the 120‐foot‐tall, 67,000 square foot project, is known as “…the most complicated steel structure ever attempted,” by the American Institute of Steel Construction.  In addition to providing expanded public transportation options, ARTIC is a destination point that will last for many generations.  Amenities include transit oriented retail, specialty dining, Wi‐Fi and charging stations, parking, bike racks and lockers.  Community space will be used to feature a variety of art that enriches the environment of metro systems and the journey experience. 

Art in transit is also a significant part of ARTIC.  Through an international competition, the artist Mikyoung Kim was selected to create the exciting dynamic visual art experience – ATMOSPHERE – in the main interior plaza of ARTIC. Her “world art piece” utilizes lighting and the environment to create an ever‐changing installation that will draw people again and again to the ARTIC site.

3) Sustainable Design. Based on the city’s goals for sustainability, the team designed ARTIC for
U.S. Green Building Council LEED Platinum certification.  Incorporating initiatives include: energy and potable water consumption reduction, stormwater management, construction, operational waste, air emissions reduction, optimization of climate conditions and open space areas.  The dome‐shaped structure acts in concert with advanced mechanical systems to optimize energy efficiency. Inflated ETFE cushions cast a soft, translucent light throughout the great hall, while the additional frit pattern on the outer layer reduces solar heat gain. Convection currents naturally ventilate the building as heat rises from the lower south end up to the north side and out through operable louvers. The radiant heating and cooling floor system and optimized HVAC system will help reduce ARTIC’s energy consumption by 50 percent. ARTIC is also ‘Buy America Compliant’, meaning the building materials are proudly manufactured in the United States.

Relationships were Key.  As mentioned above, the City of Anaheim invested in the World Class Partnership process.  The process, used for public‐private partnerships on large‐scale construction projects, improves the lives of residents and visitors, saves resources for the City, and serves as a model for public agency collaboration. The City worked with Ventura Consulting Group (VCG) (www.venturaconsulting.com), an organization that facilitates construction projects partnering through its From Good to World Class® process, involving a high level of collaboration, a commitment to project excellence, and a dedication to creating successful and productive relationships among partners. For the ARTIC, the faster the work was completed, without forsaking safety or quality, the quicker the project could bring value to the City and region by improving mobility. Taking time at the start of the project, VCG served as a coach to move conversations forward among all stakeholders to identify common goals, facilitate communication, and commit to cooperative problem solving.  Through workshops, all stakeholders, from designers to subcontractors, were brought together to create momentum for the project through personal commitment and shared goals.  For ARTIC, the 10 goals which were developed by the entire team and literally “signed” by each team member were centered on: schedule, safety, quality, budget, community engagement, local employment, neighbor and ballpark visitors, sustainability, and submittals.  

In a typical large‐scale construction project, goals are set but there is an absence of accountability and combative relationships are not mitigated.  With the From Good to World Class® approach, the atmosphere is “friend helping friend.”  For example:
• We eliminated individual contractor and subcontractor trailers.  Everyone (from designer to contractor to payroll) works in the same office building which leads to building friendships, trust, and camaraderie.
• During our first team meeting, “getting paid quickly” was identified as a key issue by contractors and therefore we eliminated internal red tape which results in contractors being paid within 15 days of an approved invoice.
• Using local workforce to ensure local pride in the facility made the list of Top 10 Team Goals. This has been achieved with a tremendous 25% hiring rate from the local/regional Orange County workforce. 
• Team Rules were written down and included an ARTIC Resolution Ladder.  Resolution goals were developed that stated 90% of issues and challenges would be resolved at the field level, 9% resolved at the first ladder, and 1% resolved at the second ladder.
• Sustainability ideas were implemented including weekly Monday morning partnering breakfast meetings, posting goals in offices, quarterly surveys, and partnering review workshops.
• A culture of safety was solidified.  Members were empowered to address any safety

issue and suggest ideas during regular safety meetings.  To provide incentives to residents,
hard‐hat tours were provided late in the day after trade work was complete.  Visitors were
provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to being given a tour of
the site.  Due to these safety measures, goals of zero incidents for track work, zero lost time
injuries, and zero safety complaints were achieved. 

Obstacles Overcome.  The project endured and was successful on delivering on various milestones during construction.  The contractor was given 152 calendar days to complete work on Douglass Road between November 1 and March 31 to minimize impacts to the Angels baseball season and stadium events.  The work included demolition, undergrounding of key infrastructure to serve the building, lowering the road to meet clearance restrictions, road widening, sidewalk improvements, landscaping and irrigation, and new traffic systems to address new demand.

Due to the Project’s close proximity to the Santa Ana River trail, the location is prone to liquefaction.  A geotechnical investigation was performed which analyzed various methods of foundation construction that would support the iconic steel structure.  The methods included, among others, spread footing, caissons and mat slabs.  The preferred and economical method was a mat slab foundation which required densification of the existing soils to combat the effects of liquefaction.  The project employed the use of Deep Dynamic Compaction (DDC) which is the repeated dropping of a weight (30-ton) from about 80-feet above with a special crane with a quick release mechanism.  The application required the excavation of a moat to absorb the vibration and impacts to surrounding structures from the seismic activity.

The project also required three separate occasions where a 52-hour window was required to build a new steel rail bridge, a pedestrian tunnel and a baggage tunnel.  Efforts to meet these deadlines required meticulous coordination with dozens of subcontractors requiring up to the minute planning to account for any delays or acceleration of tasks.  The team was able to meet the tight schedule constraints well in advance of the 52-hour window.

Awards and Accolades.
• American Institute Architects Technology Architectural Practice Building Information Modeling (TAP BIM) – 2014
• American Institute of Architects Orange County Chapter, Design Award, Honorable Mention – Fall 2012
• American Institute of Architects San Fernando Valley Design Award of Merit in the Mixed Use Category – 2011
• American Planning Association Orange County Chapter, Outstanding Planning Award for Focused Issue Planning – 2009
• Golden Nugget Competition, Grand Award for Outstanding On‐The‐Boards Site Plan – July, 2009
• Orange County Business Council, 2nd Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet, Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse – November 2011
• Orange County Business Council, 4th Annual Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet, Public‐Private Partnership – 2014
• Southern California Association of Governments, Compass Blueprint – May 2011
• U.S. Green Building Council Orange County Chapter Eco‐City Award as the Greenest in
County – 2012, 2014
• World Architecture News, Transportation Award Finalist – 2012

Partnerships

Referred to as “…the most complicated steel structure ever attempted,” ARTIC is the first LEED Platinum Certified transit station in the world and the premier transportation hub in Southern California. The iconic transportation gateway and mix‐used activity center offers a unique variety of transit, dining, retail, and entertainment options in one convenient location.

Located in the City of Anaheim between Honda Center and Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is the award winning premier transportation hub in Southern California offering a unique variety of transit, dining, retail and entertainment options in one convenient location. ARTIC is an iconic hub that brings together the services of OCTA, Metrolink, Amtrak, Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART), shuttles, taxis, bikes, tour and charter buses, and other public/private transportation providers. This iconic transportation facility serves three million Orange County residents as well as more than 40 million visitors annually. 

Referred to as “…the most complicated steel structure ever attempted,” ARTIC is the first LEED Platinum Certified transit station in the world and the premier transportation hub in Southern California.  The 67,000 square foot hub, managed and leased by Lincoln Property Company, benefits residents, local businesses, commuters and visitors by offering increased mobility and convenient access to renowned attractions throughout Anaheim and Southern California. In addition to providing expanded public transportation options, ARTIC is a destination for all that offers amenities like transit oriented retail, specialty dining, Wi‐Fi and charging stations, EV (Electric vehicle) charging stations, parking, bike racks and lockers, as well as community space for the public to enjoy. ARTIC is also ‘Buy America Compliant’, meaning the building materials are proudly manufactured in the United States. The public‐private project had a combined budget of $188 million which included environmental, design, right-of-way and construction.

The City of Anaheim used Ventura Consulting Group’s From Good to World Class® approach to be effective in improving overall project quality, project safety, relationships and job satisfaction, resolution of issues and prevention of delays, and adherence to project schedule and budget.  Utilizing the From Good to World Class® partnership approach, the atmosphere is “friend helping friend.”  Resolution conflict was minimal.  Relationship building was key to the massive reduction in change order percentage, safety, and local hiring. The change order percentage for such a complicated structure could easily be 15 to 20%, and this would be considered “industry standard.”  However, we are convinced that the From Good to World Class® partnering process is the main reason the ARTIC change order percentage remains at an all‐time low of 5 to 8%.  For more information about ARTIC, visit www.articinfo.com or follow us at Facebook.com/ARTICAnaheim and Twitter.com/ARTICAnaheim.

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