TXM World

Image: Andrea Vail

The latest landmark in the transformation of London’s infrastructure is the facelift of Kings Cross station.  The new concourse opened last week with its amazing ‘diagrid’ roof getting all the press attention.

The new concourse was designed by John McAslan and Partners, with the stunning roof structure installed by Arup. The roof spans 150m without any supporting columns except one ‘plume’ of steel (these steel pillars have been driven 50m into the ground). The time lapse video below shows what a massive project this has been.

47 million people travel through Kings Cross each year, and after 160 years of constant use the station was certainly starting to show its age.  The development doubles the capacity of the station, with more retail and catering space, including the biggest railway pub in the UK.  It also incorporates photovoltaic panels that will generate 10-20% of the station’s power needs, and of course platform 9 ¾ for those Harry Potter fans amongst you.

This is just one part of a half-a-billion pound ‘transport super-hub’ for London 2012.  This hub will be used by thousands of passengers taking the Javelin train from St Pancras to Stratford and the main Olympic stadium. The development includes restoration of the old station building and a new platform.  It’s one piece in a jigsaw of the larger Kings Cross development that has included restoration of St Pancras station and old granary warehouses to the north of the station.  The revitalisation of this Victorian architectural heritage provides a neat contrast to all the super modern buildings going up across the capital.

Amazingly, this huge five year redevelopment has happened without one single train being cancelled – now that’s what I call an achievement!