New pedestrian tunnel at King’s Cross / London
A 90m long pedestrian tunnel with LED integrated lightwall has been open at King’s Cross. The tunnel has been designed by Allies & Morrison and will link St Pancras International and King’s Cross St Pancras Underground stations to King’s Cross’ public spaces, restaurants, offices and homes, via One Pancras Square.
The tunnel’s entrance is in the north-east corner of the One Pancras Square building, accessed via an escalator hall designed by David Chipperfield Architects. It then follows a consistent curve leading to the tail end, accommodating a changing slope, into the two stations. The design of the tunnel is broken into four distinct sections, each with its own conceptual idea: the canopy, the fin section, the floor, and the integrated lightwall, which has been designed by Speirs +Major, with technical delivery by The Light Lab. The inside of the tunnel is lined with repeating panels; the fin sections fill the triangular space between the canopies, allowing stylish and easy access to the service area above, and shaped as ‘mini auditoria’ to focus attention towards the art-wall. The flooring echoes this, with ceramic tiles spread across the floor in a large triangular pattern, in two shades to create a subtle texture.