אדריכלות ישראלית

Architecture of Israel #

112

February

2018

King's Cross

page

english readers

Ranking among the ten most beautiful in

Europe, King’s Cross Station was planned

in the mid-19th century by the London

Train Company architect, Lewis Cubitt,

who in parallel designed the London

Bridge Station. Cubitt - brother of then

Mayor William Cubitt - also designed the

Granary building, converted in 2011 into

the St. Martin School of Arts at University

College, London (UCL), and the cargo

ramps, converted into a gimmick-

abundant photogenic square in his name.

The latest development of its kind, it was

designed after some of its successors, like

Covent Garden, Queen Street, Notting Hill

and, particularly, Camden Town became

central locations, attracting millions from

all over the world. For each of these, the

principle of mixed use constitutes a key

point, but also the right of free choice that

enables random development according

to circumstances, unlike King’s Cross,

where the overall scheme was determined

in advance.

One of the catalysts for the promotion

of the project was the 1988 British

parliamentary decision to connect London

with Paris through a train tunnel under the

La Manche Canal. Following a decade

of discussions, the King's Cross Central

behind the scenes at king’s cross show

the light is on

but on body home

Dr. Hillit Mazor

The completion of the first stage of the King’s Cross redevelopment is raising world-wide

interest, and not without reason. Following thirty years of declarations, debate, competitions

and building - the largest redevelopment project in London constitutes one more landmark,

the best known of which are Camden Town, Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Queens Street -

all have become international tourist destinations.

The renewal of the international transportation centre includes two magnificent train stations –

King’s Cross and St. Pancras - both have served as an important means of transportation for

goods and billions of people since the nineteenth century. However, primarily financed by the

government with the involvement of first line architects and consultants - the ambitious project

raises questions concerning the fulfilment of its declared promises: to establish a vibrant urban

domain that expresses the generative principles of the city, by applying concepts of density

and mixed use, while categorically distinguishing between pedestrians, private vehicles and

public transport (see article on the subject in this issue).

Partnership Ltd., was incorporated in 2007

- owned jointly by the London Railways

Company and Argent LLP - UK property

developers.

The first target was to turn St. Pancras

Station into an international terminal, but

the model quickly expanded to include the

entire King’s Cross domain, including the

rehabilitation of the nearby neighborhoods

of Camden and Islington.

The chief consultant was Prof. Peter

Bishop from UCL, who was hired by Allies

and Morrison Design Company.

Bishop’s outline plan from 2006 was

based on ten “iron rules”:

To establish a robust urban framework;

A lasting new place;

To promote accessibility;

A vibrant mixed use;

To harness the value of heritage;

Work for King’s Cross (meaning) work for

London;

Commitment to long-term success;

Engage and inspire;

Secure delivery;

And communicate clearly;

Inorder toenhance themixeduse concept,

it was decided to include the University

of London’s Arts Faculty including dorms

for 5,000 students, who would imbue the

area with youthful energy and activities.

For this, the Granary structure was

conserved, adding to it a new building

to create a complex of 32,000 sqm.,

the two buildings (populated in 2011),

there is an internal street, with secondary

alleys leading to lecture halls, library,

theatre, and a museum – reminiscence of

the urban fabric characterizing the city of

London.

Twenty buildings were designated for

conservation and adapted for commercial,

cultural and recreational functions,

and among them - expansive (overly)

designed public courts. The intention was

to promote encounters between students

and, in particular, millions of domestic and

foreign tourists, who will generate vast

profits for site (private) shareholders.

The political “price” of the density, included

in the declaration of intentions, will be paid

by an additional fifty luxury residential

buildings with 2,000 apartments, of which

only 800 are (ostensibly) affordable.