The American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC CA) granted its 2025 Commendation Award to the canopy and escalator enhancements at four Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations in downtown San Francisco as part of its 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards program.
STV served as the lead design firm of record for the canopies, which were developed in conjunction with BART’s escalator replacement program to enhance safety, visibility and operations for stations along San Francisco’s iconic Market Street, in a joint effort with Perkins Eastman. Perkins Eastman produced the winning design as part of a design competition spearheaded through a partnership between BART and San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Authority (SFMTA).
The canopy project dovetails with BART’s escalator replacement program by protecting the new escalators from weather-related water damage and debris as well as securing the stairwell area during non-revenue hours. STV also served as architect of the escalators project.
ACEC CA recognized the completion of canopies and escalators at these 10 station entrances:
- Embarcadero Station near Davis St.
- Embarcadero Station near Beale St.
- Montgomery St. Station near New Montgomery St.
- Montgomery St. Station near Montgomery St.
- Montgomery St. Station near Sutter St.
- Powell St. Station near 4th St.
- Powell St. Station east of 5th St.
- Powell St. Station near Ellis St. (Pilot Project)
- Civic Center Station near 7th St. (Pilot Project)
- Center Station near 8th St.
The new, secure street-level enclosures include digital real-time schedule displays and improve wayfinding. With stations that cross through multiple neighborhoods in San Francisco, the canopies also feature unique architectural elements that reflect the diverse characteristics of The Embarcadero waterfront to the historic financial, shopping, civic and cultural districts.
“These are high-profile projects as they address two of the most salient transit issues, those of security and mobility by using high-performing escalators,” said Rob McKie, AIA, senior architect at STV. “I’m proud to see the project and our teams recognized by ACEC CA. The canopies protect the BART station entrances, escalators and riders from rain and debris, while securing the stations after hours. With unique architectural elements, the canopies maintain local business visibility while bringing a contemporary thread of vitality into the architecture along Market Street.”
Key design elements benefit the public, including the canopy’s station identification column, which acts as a structural wall with wayfinding information, integrating electrical and drainage elements, and an automated overhead grille for securing the station at night. The canopies also include station information, a local area map, and dynamic signage. Once fully complete, the program will see upgrades at 21 station entrances.
