Architects,
planning and development 
-The World’s Most Romantic Station Takes Shape-
With approximately
three months to go until its official opening on
November 14 , the new retail area within the new St
Pancras International station in London is starting
to take shape. According to architects, Chapman
Taylor, respect for what remains one of the most
beautiful buildings in the world is reflected in
every small detail of the shopping, restaurant and
concourse areas – from fixings and flooring to
handles and vent covers.
Chapman Taylor is designing the retail element of
the new London International terminal for High Speed
1, Britain’s first major railway for over 100 years.
The retail areas are at platform level and in the
under croft, formerly a Victorian beer store, at the
Grade 1 listed station. The company is also
responsible for the concourses and has been selected
to deliver the station fit out.
Situated on both the concourse level and the under
croft, the retail areas will play host to an
estimated 50 million visitors by 2009. As one of the
greatest train stations in the world, the refit has
thrown up some interesting challenges for the
designers.
New elements are being integrated into the original
historic building fabric with extreme sensitivity.
The original exposed brick vaults have been retained
inside each shop and a combination of open frontages
and frameless glass walls and doors maximise the
views of the original structure.
Simon Scott, Director at Chapman Taylor says: “The
fact that the station is Grade 1 listed has meant
that many conventional designs simply haven’t been
possible, and instead, innovative bespoke solutions
have had to be introduced.
“Everything at St Pancras International has been
designed from the visitor's point of view. Having
worked closely with English Heritage and client,
London and Continental Railways, more research,
customer profiles and habits were studied prior to
construction than for any other railway station in
the UK.”
Email:
AS@kinrossrender.com