International District/Chinatown station is the only stop in the shared transit tunnel that is partially exposed to the elements, in the form of a large open area in the plaza above that allows the middle of the platforms to be exposed to the elements, the southern ends are as well.
The station was built into a hillside and the southbound platform has either fencing with locked gates in it or an opaque glass wall letting some natural light in. The wall of the northbound platform has The Paper Chase by Sonya Ishii steel panels designed to mimic origami, and various other Asian inspired artistic elements dot the station (King County Metro's Station Art Information).
For exits their two combined staircases/up escalators at each end of both platforms plus an elevator at each end that lead directly up to the landscaped plaza above the station between S Weller and S Jackson Streets bounded by 5th Avenue South and the historic Union Station (Station Map).
Photos 1-10 taken on 10 October, 2011, 11-19 on 11 October, 2011
Pioneer Square
King Street Station: Sounder & Amtrak
Link: Stadium
