The theme at the Washington Park Station reflects the interesting interactions between the natural and man-made worlds. The artists involved in the design of the showpiece Washington Park Station were Norie Sato, Tad Savinar, Bill Will, Richard Turner and Mierle Ukeles. These artists collaborated extensively with architects and engineers to create a station that is physically and conceptually linked to the surrounding institutions, the geology of the area and the tunnel mining process. Encircling the underground platform, the artists created a 260-foot timeline. Geologic core samples, which were drilled from the earth to help geologists determine the tunnel route, accompany the timeline.
Circular seats echo the shape and colors of the core samples.
Etched images relating to the institutions of Washington Park create a series of visual puzzles that are animated by the movement of the elevator doors. Images representing the intersections of the plant, animal and human worlds appear through translucent glass in light boxes recessed into the end walls of the platforms.