King’s Cross’s new Western Concourse
Quality control
We had to preserve the heritage interest and appearance of key station features, while also creating a stunning and highly modern transport environment
According to research by the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) for the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), only 63 per cent of site-based construction projects are delivered on time and only 49 per cent to budget. Off-site modular construction represents a step change in how buildings are designed and built, by making the process quicker and more cost effective. Modular Wiring Systems designed, manufactured and supplied modular power and lighting distribution systems for King’s Cross. The systems were designed to an exact specification using the latest software before being manufactured off-site in a quality controlled facility, using the latest high performance components and sub- assembly techniques. The systems were fully checked, tested and signed off prior to being delivered on site. The distribution systems were designed to run
underfloor throughout the station, with the exception of the platforms. Where this is was not possible, cables were run through small 80mm holes in the walls. Such restrictions require exceptional system flexibility. Maurizio Bragagni, Modular Wiring Systems’ MD, says:
‘Logistics was also an important factor in this prestigious installation due to limited on-site storage, requiring just-in- time delivery that Modular Wiring Systems was readily able to accommodate. This also made for quick installation with reduced labour requirements, whilst actually improving the quality of the finished system, as potential risks posed by on-site conditions were eliminated.’
With more than £400m of investment from the Department of Transport and Network Rail, King’s Cross has experienced an amazing transformation. The scale of redevelopment work is immense, and the new 7,500m2
Western Concourse
is its crowning glory. Its spectacular geometric roof structure has been blended with the station’s original architecture to create a welcoming and stimulating space for passengers.
All aboard The origins of King’s Cross date back to 1848. It was designed by architect, Lewis Cubitt, and constructed by John and William Jay between 1851 and 1852 on the site of a fever and smallpox hospital.
The station has been through many trials and tribulations,
the most recent of which occurred in 1987 when a catastrophic underground fire took the lives of 31 people. The scale of the disaster was such that the station only returned to full operation in 1989 after extensive repairs. ‘King’s Cross is one of the most important transport hubs in the UK,’ states Network Rail spokesman, Graham Goodwin. ‘With 47 million passengers using the station every year, it was bursting at the seams in terms of capacity, and with a further 10 million people expected to use it within the next decade, it was clear that something had to be done.’
The journey begins The King’s Cross redevelopment project has been a long and somewhat arduous journey, which began when National Rail submitted a planning application back in July 2006. After a wide-ranging consultation period, planning approval was finally granted in April 2007, and work commenced in September of that year. The first item on
38 ECA Today September 2012
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