Chairs at Leeds

[Condor7]

Those familiar with Leeds station will be aware of the viewing gallery, that extends across the width of the station over most of the main tracks.

Costa Coffee have a small hut with an area roped off with tables and chairs, but on the rest of the balcony are rows of chairs approx six or eight chairs attached together in a bench format, and there are numerous ones of these spread along the viewing balcony, but facing AWAY from the railway and facing the area where the stairs and escalators come up!!!!!

Does anyone know why this should be, surely at least some of them should be facing so you can sit and watch the trains?

 

[Oswyntail]

Presumably designed by the same expert who decreed that the windows in the roof should face north, thus condemning the station to perpetual gloom

 

[jopsuk]

are there departure screens visible from the seats?

 

[John55]

If I remember correctly northlight roofed buildings have been pretty standard since at least Victorian times as the benefits of lack of excessive glare and heat in summer outweigh the disbenefits. Your argument appears to be with 100s of years of industrial design.

 

[yorksrob]

I've never thought of it as a viewing gallery before, rather a waiting area that happens to have big windows (perhaps this is how the architect thought about it as well).

I rather like the idea though. A bit like those 1960's motorway service stations which had the restaurant built over the carriage way so that you could eat your congealed beans whilst watching the traffic go by underneath

 

[YorkshireBear]

I've never thought of it as a viewing gallery before, rather a waiting area that happens to have big windows (perhaps this is how the architect thought about it as well).

I rather like the idea though. A bit like those 1960's motorway service stations which had the restaurant built over the carriage way so that you could eat your congealed beans whilst watching the traffic go by underneath

That would be quite interesting, its not like the seats are facing departure screens or anything.

Could it be anything to do with not wanting people facing into the sun?

 

[Oswyntail]

...If I remember correctly northlight roofed buildings have been pretty standard since at least Victorian times as the benefits of lack of excessive glare and heat in summer outweigh the disbenefits. Your argument appears to be with 100s of years of industrial design.

That may possibly be reasonable in an enclosed factory, but an open ended shed of that height does not seem vulnerable to heat - and, as for glare, perhaps at the level of the "viewing platform". The whole experience of the station is depressingly grey. The rebuild has wasted an opportunity to create an unforgettable travelling experience. Though it is an appropriate gateway to Leeds itself - such a dull grind of a city.

 

[YorkshireBear]

That may possibly be reasonable in an enclosed factory, but an open ended shed of that height does not seem vulnerable to heat - and, as for glare, perhaps at the level of the "viewing platform". The whole experience of the station is depressingly grey. The rebuild has wasted an opportunity to create an unforgettable travelling experience. Though it is an appropriate gateway to Leeds itself - such a dull grind of a city.

At least sheffield you have a really nice station. Before you get dissapointed by the dull hilly grind of a city that is too!

 

[DarloRich]

Those familiar with Leeds station will be aware of the viewing gallery, that extends across the width of the station over most of the main tracks.

Costa Coffee have a small hut with an area roped off with tables and chairs, but on the rest of the balcony are rows of chairs approx six or eight chairs attached together in a bench format, and there are numerous ones of these spread along the viewing balcony, but facing AWAY from the railway and facing the area where the stairs and escalators come up!!!!!

Does anyone know why this should be, surely at least some of them should be facing so you can sit and watch the trains?

I assume this to be a humorous posting. If not:

I imagine they are designed for NORMAL people to sit and wait for their trains rather than a bunch of nerdy spotters to watch trains. I would also imagine it fosters a better atmosphere that pulls people into the centre of the room rather than on bench seats around the edge. As for viewing gallery i think the word you are looking for is bridge.

BTW there are some serious "experts" on here. I mean god forbid someone might design a station to make it easy for passengers to use.....

 

[yorksrob]

That would be quite interesting, its not like the seats are facing departure screens or anything.

Could it be anything to do with not wanting people facing into the sun?

Could be - but what I think would be even nicer would be to have facing seating and coffee tables at right angles to the window. That way you could look out onto the passing trains or at the departure board (there's plenty of room away from the flow of passengers). You could even have a cafe/restaurant with more formalised seating and tables.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That may possibly be reasonable in an enclosed factory, but an open ended shed of that height does not seem vulnerable to heat - and, as for glare, perhaps at the level of the "viewing platform". The whole experience of the station is depressingly grey. The rebuild has wasted an opportunity to create an unforgettable travelling experience. Though it is an appropriate gateway to Leeds itself - such a dull grind of a city.

I don't find the trainshed gloomy at all (infact on a sunny day it's just right). And I find Leeds quite colourful compared to the retro 1980's style depression which seems to have fallen over some Cities in Yorkshire.

 

[Stephen55a1960]

Those familiar with Leeds station will be aware of the viewing gallery, that extends across the width of the station over most of the main tracks.

Costa Coffee have a small hut with an area roped off with tables and chairs, but on the rest of the balcony are rows of chairs approx six or eight chairs attached together in a bench format, and there are numerous ones of these spread along the viewing balcony, but facing AWAY from the railway and facing the area where the stairs and escalators come up!!!!!

Does anyone know why this should be, surely at least some of them should be facing so you can sit and watch the trains?

One small point - Starbucks have a kiosk on the bridge--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I assume this to be a humorous posting. If not:

I imagine they are designed for NORMAL people to sit and wait for their trains rather than a bunch of nerdy spotters to watch trains. I would also imagine it fosters a better atmosphere that pulls people into the centre of the room rather than on bench seats around the edge. As for viewing gallery i think the word you are looking for is bridge.

BTW there are some serious "experts" on here. I mean god forbid someone might design a station to make it easy for passengers to use.....

You can't really spot trains from this location. Yes it is a bridge but a glass panelled one.

 

[Condor7]

I assume this to be a humorous posting. If not:

I imagine they are designed for NORMAL people to sit and wait for their trains rather than a bunch of nerdy spotters to watch trains. I would also imagine it fosters a better atmosphere that pulls people into the centre of the room rather than on bench seats around the edge. As for viewing gallery i think the word you are looking for is bridge.

BTW there are some serious "experts" on here. I mean god forbid someone might design a station to make it easy for passengers to use.....

While this was not a post of great concern, it was not intended to be humorous either.

It it ridiculous to say it "pulls people into the centre of the room" especially if it is "a bridge" as you suggest.

I am not sure if you have ever been there, but it provides excellent views of the main tracks into and out of the station.

I find your comments regarding "nerdy spotters" to be insulting and unnecessarily provocative. This forum as you indicated has all sorts on here, a lot who are spotters and make a valued contribution.

Better to be a "spotter" than someone who is so freely nasty in their nature.

Anyway it is not a bridge it is clearly designed to allow the railway to be viewed. All I was saying it seem strange that NONE of the seats face that way, I felt a balance of some facing either way to be a good and valid suggestion.

Not such a humorous post now is it.

 

[tbtc]

North facing windows are a pretty standard feature to ensure a consistent level of light without the direct sunlight that may impair things.

 

[DarloRich]

While this was not a post of great concern, it was not intended to be humorous either.

It it ridiculous to say it "pulls people into the centre of the room" especially if it is "a bridge" as you suggest.

I am not sure if you have ever been there, but it provides excellent views of the main tracks into and out of the station.

I find your comments regarding "nerdy spotters" to be insulting and unnecessarily provocative. This forum as you indicated has all sorts on here, a lot who are spotters and make a valued contribution.

Better to be a "spotter" than someone who is so freely nasty in their nature.

Anyway it is not a bridge it is clearly designed to allow the railway to be viewed. All I was saying it seem strange that NONE of the seats face that way, I felt a balance of some facing either way to be a good and valid suggestion.

Not such a humorous post now is it.

:roll:No - i have never been to Leeds in my life :roll: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=43057478@N05&q=Leeds&m=text

It was supposed to be a semi humerous comment regarding the "nerdy spotter" but never mind. One glance at my photo stream should explain that!

As for nasty, well if you think i am nasty you should try other forums that i frequent! This is a very tame & friendly group in comparison. With regard to insulting if that is the worst you have been called in life you have done well and lived a very sheltered existence. I wish i had!

Why is it ridiculous to say it pulls people into the centre of the room/bridge/gallery (whatever?) How do you think passengers could circulate, in large numbers from one platform to another if the chairs were all around the edge? The space is obviously designed in such a way as to allow for short duration waits while changing trains. Also once the station was barriered it became very hard to access the concourses at Leeds and this space provides a "short stay" alternative offering information on your next train and the opportunity to purchase a quick drink.

Anyway the primary function of the "chamber" is to allow people to move from one platform or to another or from the trains to or from the exits NOT to look at trains. You must appreciate that the vast majority of people using the station would have precisely sod all interest in the trains and just want somewhere warm dry and comfortable to sit. Designers cant cater to the whims of those interested in the railway

Alternatively, the way the seats face now may allow for the maximum number of people to wait in one place while still allowing a decent flow of people around the station.
Furthermore, the windows are clearly designed to allow natural light into the bridge and more generally into the station and it is simply a pleasing side effect that they allow the trains to be seen. I would suspect the designer had no thought for viewing the trains.

Finally, are there not some seats facing the windows at the top end (Wharf/Canal side) of the "structure" - i think there were the last time i was there.

 

[Condor7]

:roll:No - i have never been to Leeds in my life :roll: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=43057478@N05&q=Leeds&m=text

It was supposed to be a semi humerous comment regarding the "nerdy spotter" but never mind. One glance at my photo stream should explain that!

My apologies if I took your comments to seriously. You are correct about this being a friendly forum, and I would not want to be responsible for changing that.

In fairness however if you read your previous post, it does not read well especially to someone like myself who is newer to the forum and not familiar with someone's past threads. (I guess I should have checked first)

All that being said, I do disagree with you.
Whatever the architect had in mind I guess we will never know, and yes I am sure the windows are for the benefit of light, but that does not mean it was their sole purpose, and as a viewing area could also have been a reason.

I think there is a misapprehension that only spotters/enthusiasts would enjoy having a viewing balcony.
Airports have long had viewing areas, which are very popular with none plane spotters. Living in Leeds for most of my life, I have know regularly families who visit the airport purely to have somewhere to get a drink and a bun, and watch the planes.

A cafe has opened in Yeadon, not in the airport but next to it, with good views of the runway, and whenever we have been it has always been busy with families, couples and individuals all enjoying something to drink and eat and watching the planes.

I do realise this is now drifting off the subject, and I also realise that the need for a ticket to get onto the platform area makes railways different from airports, but I do find it a shame that the railways do not make more use of promoting themselves with similar eating and viewing areas.

Again I will say that to turn a few of the chairs in question to face the railway would be a good idea.

Anyway if you fancy a coffee anytime, my treat.

 

[YorkshireBear]

The station is also the worst i have ever come across for wind. It can be a calm day and you will still get a freezing gust on every platform. Even when no trains are running. The design is bland at best. Although i have to disagree with a few on here, the bridge is the best bit. Wide enough for the flow it needs to take as well as being able to hold coffee stall, information desk and enough seating for what is required for the few people who need to sit down inside the barriers. It is well designed with relation to building services. And best of all the bridge is light, because it constantly allows natural light into the footbridge area. IF you wish to watch the trains sit on the chair sideways and turn around. Or just stand in one of the gaps looking out to sea, so to speak .

For my project at uni i will be ripping it to shreds when HS2 comes along. Using natural light like stuggart station will do to create a two level station.

 

[leedstraindude]

One of the things I like about leeds at the moment is how in rush hour there is a very defined route which which is easy to navigate and move along with the crowd.

I cant help but wonder how this will be affected when the southern entrance is finally built and open when you have two distinct directions of passenger flow trying to get across the bridge.

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

............. Although i have to disagree with a few on here, the bridge is the best bit. Wide enough for the flow it needs to take as well as being able to hold coffee stall, information desk and enough seating for what is required for the few people who need to sit down inside the barriers. It is well designed with relation to building services. And best of all the bridge is light, because it constantly allows natural light into the footbridge area.......................

The footbridge itself is fine, getting to it is a joke. Some of the stairs are hopelessly narrow and then there is the provision of Lifts, platforms 16&17 get one, 12-15 get two, 9-11 get one and platforms 1-8 plus the exit get just one. It doesn't take a genius to spot which is going to be the busiest and where the bottle neck will be.

 

[YorkshireBear]

The footbridge itself is fine, getting to it is a joke. Some of the stairs are hopelessly narrow and then there is the provision of Lifts, platforms 16&17 get one, 12-15 get two, 9-11 get one and platforms 1-8 plus the exit get just one. It doesn't take a genius to spot which is going to be the busiest and where the bottle neck will be.

Oh yeah awful. Absolutely terrible. But the bridge itself is fine as you say. Stairs should be twice as wide at least. Also access to P17 is awfu....