University Street Station:
A Touch of High-tech

High-tech is the motif for this station which is in the heart of Seattle's financial district. It is characterized by computer-generated granite, glass and stainless-steel designs. White, black and red granite was applied in patterns that enliven the station's floors and walls.

Electronic images flash across walls with intriguing symbols and messages. Embedded in the wall like glowing neon icicles are 24 lightsticks. The term "lightstick" describes the light-emitting diodes and computer memory chips. The lightsticks blink randomly creating a razzle-dazzle of light in motion. But there's more than meets the eye in the blinking lights. Stand in the middle of the floor. Let your eyes drift or slowly move your head from side to side and look for symbols that have to do with transportation, business and finance.

On the opposite mezzanine wall, 14 screens, using 10,800 light-emmitting diodes (like lights in a digital clock), display more than 100 animated symbols and faces, including industrial, animal, transportation, ancient and state-of-the-art images. There are also two light boxes which include Spanish and English words that change constantly to form different phrases.

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