Tens of thousands of people will pass through the new University of Washington light rail station that opened in mid-March. While most riders will focus on their destination, they may also learn something as they pass through the station.
“Subterranium,” by UW alumnus Leo Saul Berk, lines the walls with 6,000 unique backlit panels inspired by the geology of the site that was excavated to create the station.
Geologist Alison Duvall, a UW assistant professor of Earth and space sciences, provided an accompanying narration. She met with a Sound Transit employee in January and talked about her research, the history of the station site, and her impressions of the station’s geology-themed art installation.
“It stretches from the ceiling all the way down, so as you go down the escalator it captures what it’s like going into the deeper geologic units,” Duvall said.
The narration played March 19 during opening day, when riders had their first opportunity to travel down to the station and on the new rail line. You can play the 15-minute clip yourself as you walk through the station:
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