WHITECHAPEL CROSSRAIL STATION
London, UK
2010
This project is being developed on the basis of design experience under ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO, at the UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE who gathers an interesting call for the proposed Whitechapel Masterplan project. It was held in collaboration with AA ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, LONDON where Urban Design analyses and spatial concepts were examined, under a student project competition task Internationally.
The aim of the course content was the actual topic at the time, which was publicly announced and brought the immense interest of architects and urban planners.
LONDON’S WHITECHAPEL is one of the most vibrant, historic, and ethnically-diverse boroughs in the capital. As the center of London moved east, MASTERPLAN highlights were key factors for transformations of the area itself; The benefit of delivering new infrastructure including brand new public spaces, developing a cultural center and community facilities, creation of new industry hubs for medical research and culture, enhancing and growing the street market, revitalizing Whitechapel main road and the most of all – create a new project for WHITECHAPEL CROSSRAIL STATION.
Seen as an urban innovation project, this model required a lot of architectonical exploration. The building with its form emphasizes the importance of contemporary design and responds to the functional program along. The model of concept study: The shape is presented on the original scheme as a FLOW or the movement in the space as a metaphor for the constant vibrancy of change and traffic.
Beside primary crossrail function, the structure contains three levels underground, ground floor, and first floor. On the ground floor, there are 4 entrances plus 2 elevators for vertical communication. On the western part, there is an indoor garden – an oasis with rare spices trees, and plants. From this area, it starts the ramp which is connected to the upper level. The first floor is made as a balcony so it gives an open space feeling that allows you to enjoy the view of an open vault. The content consists of restaurants, coffee bars with wait/lounge areas, exhibition spaces, and a library with the music store, indoor garden while the outdoor is has a not-permanent market, promenade, and mini-park.
THE BUILDING ENVELOPE is designed with the idea of an adaptive skin conceptual prototype. The concept of wrapping an envelope involving dynamic components for a naturally ventilated double-skin facade gives a better approximation to the optimal energy balance and passengers satisfaction. Based on an irregular grid the external layer is designed to assume accurate configuration through mechanical gears to get max-min sub radiation and to resist air cavity. All concept has been taken to verify the design hypothesis.
