Indeed...
Now if anything puts me off going first class...
Mind you, we have plenty of rooms like that in various parts of the university.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Kings Cross - New station
- Thread starter Lee_Again
- Start date
- Status
Now if anything puts me off going first class...
Mind you, we have plenty of rooms like that in various parts of the university.
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
)Eurgh!!
Why didn't they just look around some of the first class lounges at some of the major airports? Take BA or Virgin's Club House for inspiration, with different areas for people who want to grab a quick drink or use their laptop before boarding, to those who have some time to kill (or may even have an impromptu meeting before setting off).
Does this FC lounge have any of that?
What about the many businessmen and women who are likely to be travelling on their own to a meeting? Do they have areas to sit alone, and use their laptop or smartphone, while having a coffee? How many people go in groups?
I realise this photo may only show a tiny part of the lounge so apologise if they've done all of the above, but from what I see I can only say again - Eurgh!
Why didn't they just look around some of the first class lounges at some of the major airports? Take BA or Virgin's Club House for inspiration, with different areas for people who want to grab a quick drink or use their laptop before boarding, to those who have some time to kill (or may even have an impromptu meeting before setting off).
Does this FC lounge have any of that?
What about the many businessmen and women who are likely to be travelling on their own to a meeting? Do they have areas to sit alone, and use their laptop or smartphone, while having a coffee? How many people go in groups?
I realise this photo may only show a tiny part of the lounge so apologise if they've done all of the above, but from what I see I can only say again - Eurgh!
Well we can but pray that this was a designers concept and not the actual design they went for because otherwise... Well just look at it!!
Let's hope so.
tsr
Established Member
Well, having used CAD software for years, I'm pretty certain it's part of the final render for the publicity materials, which means it may or may not be accurate. Lighting simulation has got better and better, so you may find it really does look like this in certain lighting conditions.
As we know, though, last minute changes may occur.
tsr
Established Member
Well, there are lots of things that can look like "plastic", if you see what I mean! You're probably referring to a rigid, moulded thermoset, which could be surprisingly comfortable when shaped ergonomically, although it might look a bit cheap. I suspect, however, they will have used a lightly-padded and coloured faux leather, or even a coated, neoprene-based material.
mirodo
Member
- Joined
- 7 Nov 2011
- Messages
- 649
Has a date been fixed for the demolition of the existing concourse and completion of the square? I've only seen a very vague "2013" completion date - I guess they'll wait until after the Olympics before starting work?
The green (Southern) concourse will be removed post-olympics, and the new "Kings Cross Square" created in its place. All will be complete by the end of 2013.
The first class lounge has comfy-ish armchairs but the colours shown in the render above are regrettably accurate. The carpet is vile IMHO! It was, however, chosen as a result of public consultation, which I suspect involved asking drunks for their choice of colour at last trains on a Friday night.
The first class lounge has comfy-ish armchairs but the colours shown in the render above are regrettably accurate. The carpet is vile IMHO! It was, however, chosen as a result of public consultation, which I suspect involved asking drunks for their choice of colour at last trains on a Friday night.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
There is a grand unveiling of the new concourse for the great and the good and Wednesday evening prior to the public opening on the 19th of March
The colours appear to ensure that if said drunks throw up, it won't show!
They didn't ask me.
Well, I think it looks quite groovy. And lets face it, if they're short of funds they can always rent it out for the next series of Big Brother (if it's still on).
It will be strange having flower beds where burger king used to be.
It will be strange having flower beds where burger king used to be.
tsr
Established Member
They are indeed waiting until after the Games are completed. All major building works at Kings Cross are to be suspended during the Olympics and Paralympics.
I'm not entirely sure, but I imagine some of these works which have been postponed until after the Games were meant to have been done beforehand...
The flower beds will taste better, I am sure.
Why people who want fast food can't opt for a McDonalds meal, which at least uses comparatively decent ingredients and tastes better for it, is beyond me. Oops, that's a bit off topic. Err, sorry!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-17275787
Includes footage shot inside the new concourse.
Includes footage shot inside the new concourse.
DarkestDreams
Member
Lucky enough to visit the new concourse this evening with work. Loks amazing inside - albeit lit with groovy coloured lights this evening rather than the ordinary ones - but the architecture is twice as stunning when you see it for real. How long it is until someone tried to climb the central spine, I'm not sure, but it's extremely impressive.
tsr
Established Member
I hope to pay a visit next Tuesday, since I can then get a feel of how people are settling into it and see it in action. I'd love to see the first few customers walk in, see their reactions and see if tired commuters really appreciate it, see how easy people actually find it is to navigate, see how many people try new things out... but I really don't think I'd be allowed in before the customers, and I'm not going to try!
It should be very easy to navigate, as not THAT much changes. Regular commuters should suss it out in just one single visit, although many may not - given how they can't even work out that walking further down the train will get you a seat.
I wonder if the bridge half way down will actually get people to use more of a 8 or 12-car FCC train, or if people will use the bridge then walk towards the rear of the train!
I wonder if the bridge half way down will actually get people to use more of a 8 or 12-car FCC train, or if people will use the bridge then walk towards the rear of the train!
tsr
Established Member
If it's used in anything like the way the bridge over the terminating platforms at London Bridge is, passenger movements towards the front will still be not quite as great as the number of people moving towards the rear, except when it's stupidly busy (e.g. Friday evenings, during disruption, etc.).
I actually visited the new bridge during my lunch break today, where there seemed to be some final lift testing going on. I hope it's deceptively big, because if it gets very popular, I'm not sure it's going to have much space left over, although the rest of the station is still there to absorb most passengers.
They didn't ask me.
Probably a good thing they didn't ask me... :?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Knowing usual ECML passenger behaviour, the area around the bridge will be wedged solid while everywhere else will be nice and quiet. Not quite as bad as up the line, because of the roof, but they don't spread out much at Hitchin, along the canopy, either. Pity they didn't try to disguise the modernity of the thing by incorporating parts of the old bridge and the clock, but never mind.
swt_passenger
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 34,246
The bridge is intended to be the minor route, the main route is through the ground floor at the buffer stop end. That's why the bridge is relatively small scale.
From the ground floor in the middle of the concourse it won't appear the obvious route to the platforms, as you'd have to go in the opposite direction via the shops and mezzanine floor catering area to reach it.
Last edited:
DarkestDreams
Member
- Edit
Last edited:
- Status