Galveston Escalator

The Port of Galveston, TX was renovating their terminal and looking to provide an alternate pathway to and from the second floor waiting area. My proposal was a simple but sculptural enclosed escalator, connecting the car drop-off zone to the second floor.

The port terminal is a departure and arrival spot for many cruise liners. The single escalator would be reversible, serving as either an exit or entryway, depending on the situation. The construction of the tube is simple, featuring a glass enclosure surrounded by a perforated metal ‘skin’ to provide shade. The perforations were designed with a simple Grasshopper script that varied the radius of the openings with random noise. The escalator tube would appear distinct from the building it was attached to, acting as a beacon for cars and pedestrians.