Network Rail is inviting members of the public to offer their thoughts on a new design standard for local railway stations.
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In October, Network Rail rolled out ExploreStation, a programme of collaboration designed to shape the new design standard. The ‘kit of parts’ design is being developed by 7N Architects, winners of a 2020 international design competition run by Network Rail and the RIBA. ExploreStation has been commissioned by Network Rail and is being led by the Design Council in partnership with the Glass-House Community Led Design, Digital Urban and Commonplace.
In Round 1, ExploreStation engaged with thousands of people through virtual and in-person workshops in Bristol, Cardiff, Sheffield and on its online platform, generating more than 2,000 comments from more than 6,000 website visitors. These comments, together with feedback gathered through in-depth conversations during in-person workshops, was used to further develop the design proposals.
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It’s now inviting people to participate in ExploreStation Round 2, in which the latest iteration of the design proposals will be presented at a series of pop-up events featuring immersive virtual experiences and in-person workshops.
The pop-up immersive experiences will have options for bookable or walk-in slots between 10am and 5pm (6pm in Hereford and Glasgow) each day. The full guided experience will take 15–20 minutes. The venues are: York (National Railway Museum): 2 and 3 February; Shildon (Locomotion Museum): 5 and 6 February; Manchester (Science and Industry Museum): 9, 10 and 11 February; Hereford (Shell Store): 15, 16 and 17 February; and Glasgow (Telfords Paisley): 22 and 23 February.
The in-person workshops, which will run from 6pm to 8.30pm, with refreshments and dinner provided, will be held in Brighton on 8 February and Liverpool on 10 February. Participants will work with the Glass-House and other participants to explore station design through a series of hands-on and creative design activities. They will look at the emerging modular station design from 7N Architects and consider how it can be further developed to meet the needs of diverse users and eventually be integrated into a range of locations and communities.
There will also be an online workshop focusing on the experiences of people with specific needs, including those who identify as being physically and/or mentally disabled or neurodiverse, on 1 March.
Bookings for the workshops and pop-up immersive experiences will open in the New Year.
To learn more about ExploreStation and view the proposals presented at Round 1, visit explorestation.commonplace.is.
It will also be possible to engage with Round 2 of ExploreStation through the online platform from the beginning of February.
