Category Archives: Uncategorized
Post Miditerm
Post midterm we had a Train Car design Charette. We broke into our crit groups and came up with a list of issues that we would need to address. We then marked one on each list that we shared. I also started considering furniture for my station as well as rendering styles for my final presentation. I downloaded an app on my phone, waterlogue, which turns any picture into a watercolor. I thought this might be a fun technique to try. It may be too blurry though in the end.
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Train Movie (s)
For the weekend we were assigned the task of watching a movie that had a train in it. I chose to watch the Darjeeling limited. The movie was primarily based on a train. A few ideas that stuck out to me were:
1- this was a full service train traveling across India.
2- compartments were dual function, daytime seating, nighttime sleeping. The staff changed the compartments over during dinner.
3- meals lasted a very long time and if there were 3 in your party the staff would seat a 4th at your table to fill the seats.
4- the passenger compartment had a staff apartment at one end and bathing facilities at the other. Passengers had to travel through these more private areas to move between cars.
I also chose to watch the hunger games after hearing everyone speak of how fantastic the train was.
There was not a whole lot of this movie that took place on the train. However, they train was over top sumptuous and very memorable. Dark colors, rich fabrics, shiny wood, all combine to make this train very luxurious. I would very much like to ride on this train forever!!!
Mid term presentation
Mid term critiques went well. Positive comments focused on the design of the building, that the residential feel helped the building integrate into the neighborhood. The interior material selections of heart pine paneling, slate floors, and pale gray, yellow, and green works very well and relates to the Dogwood concept. Areas that need further development are the interaction between guests and train personnel at the ticket counter. The addition and altering of dormers on the center hall and the two wings. The interaction of transportation, specifically buses, with the site. The round about may not be the best situation. A pull off, which takes buses off the street and allows them easy access back to the street would be optimal.
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Architectural Development
initial revit model, hip roof is not appropriate.
hip roof changed to gable roof, more appropriate, slope is low.
higher pitched roof, working better.
Front view. Glazing seems excessive.
Exterior perspective view with addition of porch on the front and reduced glazing. The scale of the porch seems to massive for the building.
Perspective view with alternative shed roof on porch. Massing seems to great for the porch.
Front elevation, no porch. Shed dormer on central structure. Evaluating the scale of windows in the gable ends as well as the two linking corridors. Central roof feels heavy and low.
East / West section view showing lofted ceiling areas and clearstory windows as well as dormers.
early plan looking at the dogwood concept, central core and four wings. Restrooms would be in the rear center. Circulation seems cramped.
plan looking at altering the interior spaces of the building. This seems heavy and uninteresting across the facade.
Exploring the idea of splitting the spaces with connecting corridors. Looks at the vernacular of old southern houses with dependencies and out buildings. circulation space seems excessive. Connecting corridors do allow for easy passage from platforms to exterior, which is a plus for traffic flow. Need to evaluate the need for a central entry….. Could this option work well with out it?
Further developed plan. Waiting area to the right and coffee shop on the left are larger in scale than previously. Front lobby now has kiosks and additional waiting space. Connector corridors now contain restrooms and circulation to tracks. This option could make for a more secure track platform. Drawback in all traffic must enter and exit through main front doors.
Site plan view. Train station is approximately 40 feet from the train tracks.
Architectural model incorporated into site. The large circle is a bus turn around transportation node. Architecture is speaking the vernacular language that I am looking for; however; also feels a little bit residential. Exterior materials of vertical metal siding and stone may help the read more commercial.
February 28, 2014 · 12:05 pm
Station rough sketches
Here are some rough idea sketches for exterior schemes. Some include a very rough plan or organization and some include a rough section. My concept is Dogwood. So like the flower, I’m envisioning a 4 part structure with a central core. Exterior materials: I’m thinking stone and vertical board and batten siding, maybe in metal or concrete, rather than wood. Kind of a modern farm house, native NC vernacular language.
Train Station and Rail Car readings
Continental Shift:
Jackson, Peter. (2013). Continental Shift. Railway Interiors, pg. 6-12
Maxime Thibault was tasked with re-creating the interiors of the rail cars for the VIA Rail Canada Line. What sets his approach apart is that he designs for each individual car and not an archetype of car, mainly because he knows that all rail cars are different. Part of his design process is putting himself in his users situation; such a building a mock up to wheel through in a wheel chair. This gives him valuable insight as to how the spaces are actually used. These cars also were designed to be environmentally responsible, durable and easily maintained.
Fast Forward:
Rail Plan. (2013). Fast Forward. Railway Interiors, pg. 64-65.
This article highlighted the design process that occurred between rail car designers and Amtrak. The primary focus was creating cars that were ADA complaint and conducive to use by all rail passengers. The hope is that the designs will be implemented in new cars and retrofitted into older cars.
Refurbishment:
Edwards, Natasha. “Interiors: Railway Interiors International: Refrubishment” no. Show Issue 2013 (n.d.): 32–42.
Refurbishing the Ouigo trains was the focus on this article. Implementing brand standards through colors as well as already used material and a better layout allowed them to increase passenger count by 20%. This was all done very rapidly and cost effectively.
Waratah:
Jackson, Peter. (2013). Continental Shift. Railway Interiors, pg.26-32
The overhaul of the Waratah train cars in Australia was long overdue. Smart air conditioning which is roof mounted and adjusts with the number of passengers was installed. New seats which can face either way, based on the desire of the rider and materials which resist graffiti were implemented. Passenger load was greatly increased due to the deletion of toilets and food cars, and limiting luggage to vestibules only. This was possible because the longest commute on the train is only 45 minutes.
Bridge the Gap:
Norman, Helen. (2014). Bridge The Gap. Railway Terminal World, pg. 4-7.
This article deals with the re-development of London Bridge Station. This is a huge 9 plus billion dollar project. The station handles upwards of 52 million passengers a year. The new station will grant these passengers access to all platforms from one central are, much like an airplane terminal. This station will also include a very intuitive wayfinding system which makes getting around a breeze for all the passengers. Completion is scheduled for 2018 for this bigger and better station.
Focal Point:
McWilliam, Fiona. (2014). Focal Point. Railway Terminal World, pg. 8-11
The re-development of the Denver Union Station is the focal point of this article. An original “great hall” burned in the mid 1890’s and the plan is to re-create this great hall concept. The hall will house the waiting areas for the trains as well as buses and will include a bar and be the lobby of a new 122 room boutique hotel. Hopes are to increase traffic from 15 thousand daily riders to two hundred thousand.
Green Line:
Jones, Lee. “Railway Terminal World: The Green Line.” UKIP Media & Events no. 2014 Showcase (n.d.): 20–25.
This is Germany’s first sustainable rail station. It is Climate neutral and relies on geothermal heating/cooling, photovoltaic panels, and proper siting/design to achieve this status. User comfort was also highly considered in the design of this station, which is small scale station.
Open For Business:
McWilliam, Fiona. (2014). Focal Point. Railway Terminal World, pg. 26-30
This article discusses electronic payment options and how they can be incorporated into train stations. More and more stations are opting to provide and electronic ticketing system for passengers. Benefits include quicker transaction, less waste, and faster customer flow.
