Exterior Built Environment Description: King Memorial Station

King_20Memorial_2010.0The King Memorial Station is one of the seven Marta stations completed in 1979. The station was built to commemorate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the first national holiday in his name. The station is located on Decatur Street SE and is on the blue and green line of the Marta railway. The architecture of the King Memorial station is unique compared to the other station on Marta. The train station is elevated above 21 Memorial Drive, aligned under-passing street were Marta buses and other forms of transportation come and go; the station itself provides protection for waiting passengers from everyday weather, such as rain. The stations is white/grey three stories high and is a combination of round rectangular sections. The building gives off a polished and smooth visual due to its rounded edges and sleek appearance. Upon entering the King Memorial station there are multiple stairs that lead up to the security gates. When enter the through security gates on the second floor, a long panel of glass windows on your right opens up a magnificent view of the city of Atlanta. From this view you would be able to see Grady Memorial Hospital, 191 Peachtree Tower, Promenade II, and most of the popular buildings located in the city. Above that is the third floor were the railway is located. The railway stop is long and wide open to space; a no skateboarding sign is posted near one of walls. The the design of the top floor roof is a triangular pattern of interconnected metal bars, giving way to a lot of natural light being able to come through. Some artifacts present on site worth mentioning is the silver panel with a inscription dedicating the site to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a huge sculpture located in the front of the train station. Marta classifies this station as a neighborhood station, being home for many Georgia State University students and local residents. Places of interest near the station would the King Memorial, Martin Luther King’s boyhood home, Village Theatre, and Oakland Cemetery. The community surrounding the King Memorial station has gone through a renaissance of sorts in the past few years, being home to a array of new apartments, townhouses, retail shops, and businesses that align themselves on Decatur Street. The station itself and the King Memorial located near it, gives dedication to one of histories greatest civil rights activist, providing travelers a chance to learn about King and achievements. The King Memorial Station itself despite being old, the area around it is every growing and evolving, with new businesses and residents moving in everyday. I predicted that area around the station will soon become a rich and thriving community.

Exterior Built Environment: Digital Record 6

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In front of the King Memorial station to the far right there is a gigantic sculpture situated beside the intersection of Decatur Street and Grant Street. The sculpture is separated into three black metallic panels that transition into a point on top, each is placed centered around a central focal point were the points meet. Behind the sculpture is three fights of winding stairs that is closed of to the regular Marta traveler.

Exterior Built Environment: Digital Record 5

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On the third and most top floor of the King Memorial station, is the Marta railway line itself. The King Memorial station railway is on the Marta blue line and is between Georgia state and Inman Park/Reynoldstown station. The railway stop stretches about 500 feet long across the railway. The railway stop is very atmospheric because of how wide and open to space it is. Huge openings on the side and ceilings provide the station with plenty of natural light. The entire ceiling is designed with metal bars interconnected in a triangular pattern providing a place were lights can be installed and a cool architectural feature.

Exterior Built Environment: Digital Record 4

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Entering through the security gates into the King Memorial Marta station, on the far back wall their is a small silver panel. On the panel it has a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Below the picture there is exert that says, “This station is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the occasion of the first national celebration in his name” made by the Marta Board of Directors in January 15, 1986.

Exterior Built Environment: Digital Record 3

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When entering the The King Memorial Station, after climbing a couple stairs and through the security gates, on the second floor and left side of the structure; there is a long row of glass paneled windows that provide a beautiful view of the city. This amazing view is what makes the King Memorial so special, because most Marta station, being in there location, cant provide a ariel view of the city like this. Through the windows you could see Grady Memorial Hospital, Bank of America Plaza, Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel, 191 Peactree Tower, etc.

Exterior Built Environment: Digital Record 2

thumb_IMG_0232_1024The King Memorial Station is built over a street named 21 Memorial Drive. The entire structure itself provides a overpass that is aligned on the entire street. The rode’s purpose is to provide Marta buses and other forms of transportation a place to pick up and drop off their passengers. By designing the building to be on top of this street, it provides protection for the traveler that utilizes the station from everyday weather. It is evident because you can see the aging done by rain on the pillars on the roof.

Exterior Built Environment: Digital Record 1

Upon walking up to the King Memorial Marta Station, it is obvious that this particular Marta station is specifically unique compared to other station in metro Atlanta. The building itself is a three story long rectangular building horizontally aligned with the railway of the train. The color of the building is a light cream color along with white accents from panels; the age of the building can be seen from the walls of the structure. The architectural design of the building gives the building a sense of smoothness, through its rounded edges and different symmetrical parts.