Purposeful design and thoughtful detailing create an authentic Bavarian experience.

When the local logging trade waned in the 1950’s, thus did the population of Leavenworth, Washington. To combat the economic downturn, this small mountain community pulled together to identify ways to ignite tourism and commerce. Recognizing the similarity of the surrounding terrain to the European Alps, residents acted on a plan to create their town’s own Bavarian experience.

The story of its smashing success continues to evolve. Visitors flood Leavenworth year-round to attend festivals and take in the magic of the environment. With its growth, the need for public transportation has also escalated. In response, LINK Transit of Chelan and Douglas Counties expanded services to include a new park-and-ride adjacent to Leavenworth’s downtown core.

The brief from LINK Transit required two open-air bus shelters and a driver support building (“comfort station”) with public restrooms. TCF’s design team undertook extensive research to meet the City’s rigorous design standards. The team demonstrated a commitment to authenticity in developing proportions, detailing, and refinements to emulate Bavarian architecture, especially at the exterior. Inside, the aesthetic of the comfort station is a contemporary iteration of Alpine design.

The completed project installation provides LINK Transit’s passengers and staff with functional, comfortable amenities while contributing toward the fabric of its unique alpine environment.