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ACADEMIC WORK ENERGIS NEXUS

ENERGIS NEXUS
Reimagining Highway Architecture for a Sustainable FutureThe project reimagines the highway architecture focused on the future. The inclusion of essential amenities such as electrical charging station, driver rest areas, truck wash area, a convenience store, a restaurant, and a hotel . within the architectural vision adds functionality to the highway. The circular design is purposeful and innovative. Its outer ring facilitates smooth car movement. Inside, essential services are situated, creating a functional and efficient space. At its heart lies a vibrant green park, symbolizing the project’s commitment to sustainability. In addition, the project incorporating renewable energy sources like wind turbines, solar panels, and innovative pavement technology, the project sets a new standard for ecofriendly architecture in transportation hubs, serves as a model for sustainable design practices

LOCATION: BERLIN

YEAR: 2022

FACULTY: JULIE BAUER

Design Thinking

PROJECT BACKGROUND: The project is located in Eureka, Missouri, along the historic Old Route 66, a highway once vital to America's road network and cultural landscape. As one of the most iconic routes in the U.S., Route 66 played a crucial role in shaping the nation's mobility, commerce, and roadside architecture. However, with the rise of the interstate highway system, it has largely faded into history, leaving behind remnants of its once-thriving infrastructure.

Missouri state road system Route 66 map Eureka

Old chain of rocks bridge

This project stems from a critical question: What should highway architecture look like today? As transportation evolves, so too must the spaces that support it. By reimagining the relationship between mobility, infrastructure, and sustainability, this project explores how contemporary highway architecture can adapt, integrate, and redefine its role in the modern landscape.

Conceptual Vision

SUSTAINABLE AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL HIGHWAY HUB integrates renewable energy and enhances the efficiency of both transportation and community interaction. The design features a circular structure, promoting smooth traffic circulation and creating a centralized space for essential services while fostering an environmentally conscious experience.
At its core is a vibrant green park, which functions as a central node and enhances passive ventilation, contributing to a cleaner, energy-efficient environment. Renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and kinetic power capture technology are integrated throughout the hub to ensure energy self-sufficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The project also accommodates diverse charging needs with an EV charging system, by combining renewable energy and adaptable services, this project sets a new standard for eco-conscious infrastructure that redefines the role of modern highway architecture—providing both functional support and a sustainable solution for future transportation hubs.

Design

A New Highway Architecture：By layering mobility, energy, and social interactions, this project proposes a new paradigm for highway architecture—one that is adaptable, regenerative, and deeply connected to the needs of modern transportation. It is no longer just about movement; it is about creating a dynamic, energy-efficient, and user-centered hub that transforms the highway into a more sustainable and engaging experience.

The design introduces a multi-layered program that redefines the way highway infrastructure serves travelers, long-haul drivers, and the broader environment. At the ground level, the Truck Stop provides essential services for freight transport, including truck wash stations, driver rest areas, delivery services, and EV charging for commercial vehicles. By addressing the needs of long-distance drivers, this space ensures comfort and efficiency while incorporating sustainable transportation solutions. The second level, the Activity Center, acts as a social and functional hub. It features restaurants, coffee stations, a gym, convenience stores, and EV charging stations—catering to both short-term visitors and those on extended stays. This level transforms the traditional highway rest stop into a more engaging and restorative environment, enhancing the user experience beyond basic transit functions. The third level, the Hotel Community, provides temporary lodging, shared balconies, rooftop restaurants, and laundry facilities, offering travelers a more comfortable and flexible resting space. This space fosters a sense of place and relaxation, elevating the highway experience beyond conventional gas stations and rest areas. At the roof level, the Energy Cycle System integrates solar panels, wind turbines, and a green roof, generating renewable energy while contributing to passive cooling and air circulation. This self-sustaining model aligns with the project’s vision of creating highway infrastructure that actively contributes to environmental resilience rather than merely consuming resources.