Development by John McAslan + Partners in London, England, UK
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John McAslan + Partners
Architecture News
King’s Cross Station Eastern Range, London
John McAslan + Partners
16 Jun 2009
image : John McAslan + Partners
Client Network Rail
Team John McAslan + Partners, Masterplanner Lead Architect
Arup, Lead Consultant
Network Rail, Quantity Surveyor
Laing O’Rourke Contain Joint Venture, Contractor
Area 10,500 sqm
Programme 1998 - 2009
photographs © www.huftonandcrow.com
In 1998 Network Rail commissioned John McAslan + Partners
to comprehensively upgrade the entire King’s Cross station ready
for the 2012 London Olympics, providing enormous benefits
to approximately 55 million passengers who will pass through
the station each year and contributing greatly to the ongoing
transformation of the local area.
The first phase of the complex £450 million-plus multi-phased
project is the return of the neglected Grade One listed Eastern
Range Building to its former glory, bringing back into use 70,000sq.
ft.² of commercial office space in the heart of one of Britain’s busiest
multi-modal transportation hubs from 2012.
Critically, the Eastern Range will ensure that the entire station
remains operational during the remainder of the construction works
by allowing station staff to decant from areas of the station under
construction. Extraordinarily proportioned, the Victorian structure is
approximately 250m long by 12m wide and comprises three levels
of accommodation suspended over the historic cab road, which is
also the site of the only new platform within the redeveloped station.
Works on site commenced in September 2007 and the project has
achieved staged completion from January 2009, ready for formal
opening during June 2009.
“King’s Cross Station is an architectural masterpiece. It is also a
crucial part of London’s transport system where a major increase
in passenger capacity must be achieved in the near future.
John McAslan + Partners new Western Concourse will deliver
that capacity and enrich the architectural quality of the station.
Schemes like this, which help secure the future of historic
buildings through high quality modern additions or intervention,
will always enjoy support from English Heritage”
Paddy Pugh, Head of Advice and Grants,
English Heritage, 2006
photographs © www.huftonandcrow.com
The Eastern Range has led the way in setting the standard for the
subsequent stages of the overall phased programme, by ensuring
minimal disruption to the operation of the station and by achieving a
high quality of workmanship throughout.
Conservation Approach
The heritage listing at King’s Cross applies to the whole site, making
it one of only five stations in England to have such status.
The underlying objective has been to bring back into full use the
neglected structure, balancing the celebration of its heritage with
the needs of modern operational accommodation, and to secure its
future as part of the rejuvenated fabric of the overall station.
The approach to renovating the Eastern Range involved significant
intervention within the fabric of the historic building. Conservation
specialists were involved in the design and construction of the
building, working closely with English Heritage so that the historical
features were sympathetically retained.
Great efforts were taken from the outset to conserve the building;
matching the surprisingly wide variety of bricks used throughout the
building, analysing the lime mortar mix or identifying the stone used
in the cills. When a chimney had to be dismantled, the masons
marked up every brick so it could be rebuilt with the same bond.
The plasterers created a template so that damaged cornices could
be reinstated in situ, using traditional materials and techniques. Not
all the Victorian detailing was satisfactory – for example, the lead
gutters had to be increased in size, where lead workers contributed
to the design solution’s tricky junctions. Joinery, including the
windows, was repaired with exacting care in workshops set up in the
building.
The modernisation of the structure carefully considers the character
and heritage of the building and a balance between old and new
attained. Careful design choices have been used to complement the
original features, such as within the rooms where the cornices have
been highlighted with trough lights, the existing windows have been
retained with sympathetic double glazing and all the existing joinery
has been revitalised.
images : John McAslan + Partners
Modernisation
The Victorian building has been completely modernised to bring
it up to today’s standards, including the provision of access for
all, better environmental performance, and compliance with
fire regulations. It has been equipped with modern services,
environmentally controlled offices and bespoke facilities for the
station operators. The result of this collective effort is a highly
attractive and practical place of work and the reinstatement of
another piece of London’s history, safeguarding King’s Cross station
for future generations to appreciate.
As well as the restoration and modernisation of the building, the
project has also involved some important enabling works for the rest
of the King’s Cross redevelopment programme, including temporary
substations to assist the station’s operation.
The Eastern Range has been designed and refurbished to minimise
its impact on the environment by utilizing the existing unused
building, insulating the loft, installing secondary glazing, and
installing state-of-the-art lighting and heating systems that are
automatically responsive so that the optimal environment can be
achieved without the waste of energy. A rain water harvesting tank
has been constructed to recycle rainwater for use within the building
and the repairs to the external brickwork have extended the life of
the building.
Accessibility
The upgraded accessibility of the building has been a central
requirement. However, this has been a challenge due to the
proportion of the existing building and the fact that a new platform
is being created at ground level which renders 90% of the building
footprint unavailable for lifts to touch down at grade.
Three new lifts have been incorporated into the Victorian structure to
provide full accessibility to all areas. Two sited within the entrance
which provide the primary lift access to all floors. The third is
located adjacent to the grand central historic stairwell, suspended
above the newly created additional platform below.
roof image : John McAslan + Partners
Partnership Approach
King’s Cross Eastern Range has been an immense achievement;
a challenging project programme was set by Network Rail with
all the major milestones consistently attained, including practical
completion on 23rd January 2009. The project came in under
target cost and Network Rail occupants were able to move into their
transformed building on time.
The project team has faced many challenges from conception to
construction; incorporating modernised office accommodation into
the heritage structure, logistically carrying out the works in central
London and adjusting designs and construction techniques as the
existing building was uncovered. Through the integration of Network
Rail, Laing O’Rourke Costain JV, Arup and John McAslan + Partners,
problems have been resolved and collectively managed, resulting in
a successful exemplar project.
Network Rail in partnership with Arup, John McAslan + Partners,
London Borough of Camden, English Heritage and Laing O’Rourke Costain.
Photography : Nick Hufton and Al Crow
Credit: www.huftonandcrow.com
King's Cross Station
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King's Cross Central Competition
King’s Cross Square
Kings Cross Central Office Building
King’s Place
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