Moynihan Train Hall was a massive $1.6 billion project that transformed Penn Station — the main intercity and commuter rail station in New York City — and joined it with the century-old James A. Farley Post Office to create a modern, world-class transit hub.
The challenging project called for the creation of a modernized structure that could handle crowded pedestrian traffic reliably and safely. It also called for a stunning design with equally captivating materials and components throughout.
Components specified for public safety, such as railings and barriers, can often appear distracting or disruptive within a structure, but architects were able to enhance their design with choices that maintained a transparent, contemporary look.
Around all stairways, escalators, and second-floor overview areas, more than 1,500 linear feet of CRL GRS Glass Railing System was used to preserve the impression of fully open spaces. The all-glass 1 look promoted visibility throughout the hall and offered uninterrupted views without blocking the natural light that was integral to the overall design.
The accompanying GRS Cap Rails and HRS Handrails chosen have a brushed stainless finish that reinforced its contemporary look yet strengthened the railing’s structural integrity and safety, making the system ideal for heavy commuter traffic. GRS Glass Railing is ICC-ES-approved which ensures compliance with local building codes for guardrails.
During the installation, glaziers also used CRL’s Taper-Loc® Dry-Glaze Installation System which speeds up installation by 50% compared to wet-glazed railing methods. The system allowed the project to be completed faster, an important feature in large-metropolitan installations with overlapping demands and deadlines.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
PROJECT: Moynihan Train Hall
LOCATION: New York, NY
DESIGN TEAM: SOM
PRODUCT SPECS: CRL GRS Glass Railing System