Upwards View Through Glass
Topographic data from Lake Norman used to recreate the emotional experience of looking up through the surface of water.
“Surface” redefines the commuter experience at the Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) Cornelius Park and Ride. Celebrated by Mayor Chuck Travis as the “coolest park and ride in CATS,” this permanent public artwork integrates the practicality of urban transit with the immersive allure of art, transforming a simple comfort station into a captivating space of light and color.
Surface elevates the Cornelius Park and Ride into a blend of art, light, and urban utility.
Nature Inspired
Utilizes Lake Norman's topography to recreate an underwater experience.
Evolving Color + Light
Light and color shift with the sun throughout the day.
Architectural Fusion
The modern, sheltering structure doubles as a canvas for the glass art installation.
Project Video
Inspired by the beauty of Lake Norman, located adjacent to Cornelius, Depeña uses actual underwater topographic data from the lake to shape this installation. The intent is to capture and amplify the emotional resonance of being submerged, as light cascades through colored glass to refract vibrant colors across the structure’s surfaces.
The dynamic interaction of light and color is designed to evolve with the sun’s movement across the sky.
The palette, dominated by blues and greens, mirrors the lake’s natural hues, while occasional bursts of orange pay homage to the Carolina clay that underlies much of its bed.
Depeña’s work on this project extends to influencing the architecture, allowing for a fluid translation of concept to studio sketches, fabrication, and final construction.
The structure boasts a modern design featuring a cantilevered awning that provides shelter for transit riders while serving as a canvas for the art glass installation, fusing utility and artistic expression. The strategic positioning of the angled, sculptural centerpiece aligns with cardinal directions—North, South, East, and West—using a specifically engineered canopy to optimize the interaction with sunlight throughout the day.
“Surface,” a public art installation by Ivan Toth Depeña, redefines the commuter experience at the Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) Cornelius Park and Ride. Celebrated by Mayor Chuck Travis as the “coolest park and ride in CATS,” this permanent artwork integrates the practicality of urban transit with the immersive allure of art, transforming a simple comfort station into a captivating space of light and color.
Inspired by the serene beauty of Lake Norman, located adjacent to Cornelius, Depeña uses actual underwater topographic data from the lake to shape this installation. The intent is to capture and amplify the emotional resonance of being underwater, as light cascades through colored glass to refract vibrant colors across the structure’s surfaces. This dynamic interaction of light and color is designed to evolve with the sun’s movement across the sky. The palette, dominated by blues and greens, mirrors the lake’s natural hues, while occasional bursts of orange pay homage to the Carolina clay that underlies much of its bed.
Depeña’s work on this project extends to influencing the architecture, allowing for a fluid translation of concept to studio sketches, fabrication, and final construction. The structure boasts a modern design featuring a cantilevered awning that provides shelter for transit riders while serving as a canvas for the art glass installation, fusing utility and artistic expression. The strategic positioning of the angled, sculptural centerpiece aligns with cardinal directions—North, South, East, and West—using a specifically engineered canopy to optimize the interaction with sunlight throughout the day.
This project underscores the potential of public art to enhance community spaces, making them places of reflection, beauty, and connection to the broader natural world.
Photography by Ivan Toth Depeña