Who Are the Architects of Grand Central Madison?

In recognition of Grand Central Madison (GCM)’s public debut, join the AIANY Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for a panel to celebrate the project’s architectural accomplishments and the many architects who worked together to achieve a new commuter rail terminal for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). We will discuss the project’s history and examine what it takes to deliver well-designed mega projects that span multiple years, economies, and leaders. Panelists will address the project from differing perspectives: Frank Prial of Beyer Blinder Belle will introduce the historical connectivity to Grand Central Terminal, Peter Campanella of AECOM will discuss the architectural work and finishes, and Ashley Hanrahan Duignan of MTA Construction and Development will offer the owner and construction manager perspective. The discussion will focus on design leadership of public mass transit spaces and how to strengthen the architect’s voice in the public realm.

About the Speakers:
Peter Campanella started on East Side Access and has been a licensed architect since 2007. Prior to ESA, Peter worked on several school rehabilitations, waste treatment centers, and the temporary Vesey Street bridge at WTC after 911. He began his time at ESA as project architect for the 48th street entrance and then played a key role in the design and coordination of Grand Central Madison Concourse. Since 2011 Peter has led the design team through Concourse and Caverns design modifications; he now continues in a lead role finalizing construction.

Ashley Hanrahan Duignan has been with MTA for 14+ years. She started her career with MTA as a designer for the Stations Group of New York City Transit, focusing on the renovation and rehabilitation of the systems subway stations. As a next step to round out her experience, she transitioned to the CM Office to become the Resident Engineer on one of the Grand Central Improvement projects the team oversaw. In 2016, Hanrahan Duignan joined East Side Access as the architectural lead for the CM office overseeing the build out of the Station Caverns. As the contract transitioned from heavy civil to finishes she took on more senior roles. Currently, Hanrahan Duignan is the Senior Director for ESA overseeing the program’s closeout across all contracts for MTA C&D.

Frank Prial has led and contributed to many of the firm’s most celebrated historic preservation and revitalization projects, most notably Grand Central Terminal for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Empire State Building lobby for Empire State Realty Trust. Other clients include the Morgan Library & Museum, the Baltimore Basilica of the Assumption, the National Park Service, and Minnesota’s Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority. Prial is a regular presenter and visiting critic in Architecture, Preservation, and Transportation Planning at institutions including the Cooper Union, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, the AIA Center for Architecture, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Royal Academy of Design in Stockholm, Sweden. He has served on the Board of Advisors of the Historic Districts Council and is a trustee of the Vanderbilt Cemetery Association.

Eve Michel leads project planning, design, and construction for public and private transportation and economic development projects. As Chief Architect and Program Executive at the MTA, Michel managed capital construction mega-projects including Penn Station Access and Fulton Center. She introduced sustainability practices including the use of the Envision rating system for large scale horizontal projects. She brings her architectural perspective to complex infrastructure projects and, using her teaching platform highlights the Architect’s Voice in the Public Realm.

Jeffrey Dugan is motivated by a deep-seated interest in the development and improvement of quotidian urban spaces. From large projects that involve major components of a city’s infrastructure, such as rail and air transportation, to educational spaces, community facilities, and supportive housing, Dugan is committed to creating positive experiences for urban citizens. As a musician, he has developed an acuteness for improvisation and collaboration, which he brings to his role as a designer, mentor, and an orchestrator of multifarious projects.