Home
tech
7 beautiful US border control stations built under the last three presidential administrations

7 beautiful US border control stations built under the last three presidential administrations

Located in Minnesota on the Canadian border, the Warroad Port of Entry services approximately 157,000 cars, buses, and trucks annually. A rich, dark cedar covers the facade of the building, which was constructed in 2012.

7 beautiful US border control stations built under the last three presidential administrations

The wood continues on the interior. Large windows in the lobby and office area give a sense of openness and transparency.

The wood continues on the interior. Large windows in the lobby and office area give a sense of openness and transparency.

"You need to be cognizant of officers' hyper-awareness, but you also have to provide them with a haven," the station's leading architect, Julie Snow, told the General Services Administration.

"You need to be cognizant of officers

Source: GSA

The Peace Arch US Port of Entry, which is also on the US-Canada border, overlooks the Semiahmoo Bay in Washington.

The Peace Arch US Port of Entry, which is also on the US-Canada border, overlooks the Semiahmoo Bay in Washington.

The 34,445-square-foot building, completed in 2010, boasts a slender, linear shape, mimicking the physical border.

The 34,445-square-foot building, completed in 2010, boasts a slender, linear shape, mimicking the physical border.

Source: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson

The neo-futuristic Canadian Plaza at the Peace Bridge, located in Fort Erie, has a bridge that links Buffalo, New York and Ontario, Canada.

The neo-futuristic Canadian Plaza at the Peace Bridge, located in Fort Erie, has a bridge that links Buffalo, New York and Ontario, Canada.

According to the architects, the design was inspired by the area's native long house shelters and canoes, one of the earliest types of transportation used to cross the Niagara River.

According to the architects, the design was inspired by the area

Source: Architizer

Completed in 2007, the two-story station on the Canadian side features a central skylight that brings in natural light.

Completed in 2007, the two-story station on the Canadian side features a central skylight that brings in natural light.

In Arizona, the Mariposa Land Port of Entry is "a study in balancing security with a dignified welcome ... and strives to be a cultural connection — rather than a division," the architects wrote in a statement.

In Arizona, the Mariposa Land Port of Entry is "a study in balancing security with a dignified welcome ... and strives to be a cultural connection — rather than a division," the architects wrote in a statement.

Source: Jones Studio

The designers made a conscious effort to make the open-layout station appear humane and welcoming.

The designers made a conscious effort to make the open-layout station appear humane and welcoming.

Source: Jones Studio

Constructed in 2014, the 216,000-square-foot port features a processing station for vehicles and pedestrians, a lush garden, and a system that allows it to collect and recycle rainwater.

Constructed in 2014, the 216,000-square-foot port features a processing station for vehicles and pedestrians, a lush garden, and a system that allows it to collect and recycle rainwater.

Source: Jones Studio

In California, the Murrieta Border Patrol Station was designed to blend in with the arid desert landscape. Constructed in 2004, the building's brick facade is a pale, sand-like brown.

In California, the Murrieta Border Patrol Station was designed to blend in with the arid desert landscape. Constructed in 2004, the building

The fence around the entrance for border agents is made of the same steel as the US-Mexico border fence. To access the building, they must walk through the fence "and experience it as a threshold, a reminder of the permeability of borders," the architects wrote.

The fence around the entrance for border agents is made of the same steel as the US-Mexico border fence. To access the building, they must walk through the fence "and experience it as a threshold, a reminder of the permeability of borders," the architects wrote.

Source: Garrison Architects

Inside, the building prioritizes ventilation and natural light to create a comfortable environment. The walls are painted bright yellow.

Inside, the building prioritizes ventilation and natural light to create a comfortable environment. The walls are painted bright yellow.

Built in 2015, the Cross Border Xpress connects San Diego, California with the Tijuana International Airport in Mexico. The architects used bright shades of orange and purple as an homage to the late Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta, who was known for his vivid pops of color.

Built in 2015, the Cross Border Xpress connects San Diego, California with the Tijuana International Airport in Mexico. The architects used bright shades of orange and purple as an homage to the late Mexican architect Ricardo Legoretta, who was known for his vivid pops of color.

The design focuses on making travel between Mexico and the US faster and easier, the designers told Business Insider. It is "a very much needed bridge in this new era of co-existence between the two nations," the firm wrote.

The design focuses on making travel between Mexico and the US faster and easier, the designers told Business Insider. It is "a very much needed bridge in this new era of co-existence between the two nations," the firm wrote.

California's San Ysidro Port of Entry is the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere. An expansion of it, set to open in 2019, is "designed to be the port of the future," according to the GSA.

California

Source: GSA

The $735 million project will add 38 additional vehicle inspection booths, and ease traffic at the port.

The $735 million project will add 38 additional vehicle inspection booths, and ease traffic at the port.

Source: GSA

Like many recently constructed stations, the design shows that border stations don't need to appear hostile. Instead, they present an opportunity for the US to invest in stations that are both beautiful and secure.

Like many recently constructed stations, the design shows that border stations don

View Other Slidelists

Advertisement