Anaheim rail center to feature ETFE

Remember the Water Cube, the cool-looking National Aquatics Center at the Beijing Olympics? A new rail hub in Anaheim, Calif., will feature some of the same materials, including a roof made of lightweight ethylene tetrafluoroethylene foil. The material is helping architectural firm HOK design the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (yes, it's really called ARTIC) with a goal of achieving a LEED Platinum rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. According to a news release from HOK, the building will incorporate "solar panels, ETFE cushions -- a highly insulating enclosure system one-tenth the weight of glass -- and a solar water heater built into the roof to reduce energy use, water use, solid waste production and carbon emissions." The new transportation hub is scheduled to break ground in 2010 and be completed by mid-2013. Phase one is estimated to cost $180 million. When it's finished, it will connect local entertainment and sports venues including the Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium, Disneyland and Honda Center. The Los Angeles Times' Culture Monster blog has an interesting story about the ARTIC, including some impressive-looking artist renditions of the finished building. Check it out -- and thanks to our long-time correspondent in California, Roger Renstrom, for suggesting this post.