FR & WHR & WHHR News

Its in a prestige location within sight of the castle so needs to be a prestige station. I am not sure what is planned looks anything like normal UK railway architecture. There needs to be more of the local vernacular about its design. I was also hoping that it might have an access up to the terrace above the station to allow better pedestrian access to the town and along to the castle square.

As an aside, looking at the proposed plans for Aberystwyth on Langer Architects website they seem to have the remit to build an amazing landmark station that is larger than those used for many provincial towns. .........and to use the barrel arched roof off of the old London bridge station for the museum is inspired because its proper recycling of historic railway architecture. And they want to build a roundhouse.

 

I certainly wouldn't recognize it as a railway station! I agree with most of what has been written above; totally out of character for the location and hideous to look at whatever its purpose. The station should not only look like a station, but fit in with the surrounding buildings.

 

I wonder if "cheap fix" could be implied here, not knowing the cost relative to a "real" station, even if it's not it certainly looks like one.

 

I think the timber is being used as solar shading. There appears to be glass behind the section that is not solid. Looking at maps this elevation faces south, so having so much glass is not really practical and will create solar gain and heat loss issues.

 

From looking on streetview the short section of terrace towards the railway from the junction with an unnamed road does not have any pavement.This may be why their is no access in this scheme.

 

Doesn't seem to know much about track though...

 

From the look of this excuse for a design you would be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that the person, or persons, responsible had never visited an actual railway station.

Further, you might suspect that somebody would have dropped more than a small hint about why the traditional materials used for buildings in North Wales were so suitable for purpose. The error in selecting timber external featuring has already been pointed out. All that glass is simply asking for trouble in more ways than one - though I suspect that the need for security shutters will have been recognised? Is that roof flat? In North Wales? Then as it is a new building, where are the features that will minimise the energy consumption and provide for some degree of energy self sufficiency? Solar panels etc.

I hope that the individual responsible for this offering did not expect to be paid for it.

 

It seems that he proposal is about as popular as a fart in a space suit
I know the station needs to advertise it's presence but sticking out like a sore thumb?
I do think something a bit more sympathetic to the location would be better.......

 

Bare in mind i think there is a further consulting stage and they are concept drawing not definite plans but if its getting paid for its far better than the current bus shelter and portacabin set up, i think more constructive comments would be acknowledged rathern than saying the person who drew it has no concept of designing railway stations, its a blank canvas anything can be tried.
thanks
Patrick

 

I think the design may well make a lot more sense in the context of the wider regeneration of this area, so it won't look as out of place as it would now.

Chris

 

What complete rubbish ! .......and what about the castle ?

 

.....anything can be tried !!!

 

I am surprised that a consultant from any profession could write such scurrilous comments which are entirely without foundation and can only be seen as libellous, albeit to un-named persons. The fact the the writer doesn't like the design and no doubt feels that the Planning Authority should not have approved it does not excuse comments like this.

 

A "good consideration" is not being libellous !

 

Isn't it? The implied meaning behind an inuendo is something that is recognised in libel cases e.g. Lord McAlpine v Sally Bercow.

 

And is the new station a terminus and does it allow for possible further railway?

Patrick

 

Yes; No, except for a marginal extension over the current car park.

Yes; Yes. As stated on the festrail website.

 

I fail to see how it's 'complete rubbish' to suggest the design is in-keeping with the rest of the slate quay redevelopment, whether your a fan of that or not - this is not being done in isolation.

Chris

 

As a design it is very much in line with what Caernarfon Council like to see built. Check out the Galeri and the general Victoria dock development on the other side of town. It may be that only a modern design of this nature is acceptable to the Council - I'm sure the design would not have been put forward without some consultation as to what would be likely to be accepted.