Plymouth Gateway - Train Station Design part two!

Now, moving on from the design strategies and into schematic design. The same narrative of expanding architecture has been adapted to create a concept of expression and event. The event of a train arriving into the (new or old) city can be excenuated by creating an expression, in this case, using a cover that 'latches' onto the incoming or outgoing train, celebrating this movement and creating an alternative and dillusional arrival/departure from plymouth.


The station is proposed to be nearly transparent, a clear clad to the static frames of that cover the platforms will create somewhat of a machine moving within. This movement is triggered by the influx of users to the platforms of the station and is celebrated/experienced by semi-transparent moving platforms providing light ambiance.


The tower, Intercity House, will be kept, and used as the 'hub' of the station, providing the vital connection between the city centre and central park, providing express ticket kiosks and separate links (with waiting rooms and panoramic views) to the platforms below.


See what you think!

Bellows: Expanding and contracting, creating a concept for movement, arrival and celebration.

Site Plan and functional requirements of the building, from the train tunnels to the top of Intercity tower. 

The proposal in section and elevation, and the site model.

Experiential section, through the semi-transparent platform creating a changing atmospheric condition as the platform expands and contracts.

Modelling the proposal

The final presentation pin-up. The presentation was based on the strip across the wall ala Morphosis architects.

The project was once again chosen for exhibition at the existing Plymouth Train Station for the general public to view and Network Rail staff.

The Parametric Marketplace - A market for the 21st Century

Just a quick intro into my Architectural thesis for my final year, on the study of market place typologies and urbanisms. I am looking into the market place and what it provides for the city, its historic evolution and its role in today's cities.

‘From Medievil times well into the nineteenth century, the most important economic and social centre of urban life and a dominant feature of the townscape was the market.’ Schmeichen, M. The British Market Hall.

Being cultural 'melting pots' my investigations are heavily based on the works of Christopher Alexander and Edward Hall. By studying the market, using case study analysis which focuses on the distinction of typologies within the public arena and cultural routines, which are tested using Proxemic Patterns (Hall), I wish to create a strategic model for the market of today and the future - the parametric marketplace.

Seminars start this week and draft is well under way!