Antonio Tejeda

Red Stick Terminal

The Red Stick Terminal is an urban food hub located in northern Baton Rouge, Louisiana; an area that has been historically marginalized. The history of plank road begins with enslaved people constructing the road out of “planks” to connect the plantations to the city of Baton Rouge. Fast forward 100 years during the period of the reconstruction era, this plank road corridor experienced a large number of freed men settling in this area. Current day plank road has been neglected and has been subject to blight and abandonment among other issues

In response to these socio-economic disparities facing north Baton Rouge, the RST proposal provides the community with a space to gather and recreate that also enhances the quality of life by offering more transportation options, increasing commerce and jobs, and providing better food options.

An iconic structural system supports the main feature of the RST complex which is a green roof park, a space for all ages. The green roof park offers a large public space that could be utilized for various events, rentable office space, and a teaching kitchen. Some structural elements of the RST are designed to passively enhance the experience of its patrons. Depending on their location, the RST’s iconic superstructure blooms open to provide shade for the park, or channel rain water to mitigate water consumption. The trellised façade meets the perched roof sprouting upward also shading the interior spaces.

As you enter the RST, there are a multitude of programs for the nearby community. Access to the RST can be achieved by walking, taking the bus, or driving encompassing all methods of transportation. Provided at the bus stop is a inside welcome area containing bathrooms, vending machines and an information desk. This integration of a bus stop with the RST will aim to feed the businesses that are housed here. There are spaces for 4 retail shops that offer a place to incubate local business as a low-cost alternative for businesses that may be economically struggling due to COVID. Also, there are designed stalls for local food tucks to anchor their business that contain an elevated deck with some seating giving the customer a better interaction with the trucks. Finally, the historic façade located on the northwest part of the site houses a restaurant and bar with a commercial kitchen with rentable space.