2010.08 bus exchange transit lounge

waiting area - christchurch central bus station

crispin schurr design architect at ccc

programme

  • fitout existing tenancy to provide passenger information and waiting

  • complement the existing bus station by providing a new street platform

  • construct a robust, low maintenance environment

  • consider crime prevention through environmental design to make a safe space

issues

  • narrow deep tenancy is difficult to entice people into whilst waiting

  • historical issues with safety at bus exchange

  • difficult to heat space in winter yet provide seamless access

  • heritage facade

  • variety of wait times / patron types and ages

solutions

  • walls are backlit to create high level of ambient lighting, being lightest at the rear

  • form prevents and corners where undesirable activities can occur

  • multiple escape routes created

  • front facade opened up completely in use

  • concrete seats are durable

  • acrylic sheet is durable, coated in antigraffiti film to head height

  • variety of seating provided

  • playful concrete seating encourages younger occupants to explore

  • seating is heated in winter, meaning no space heating is required with subsequent energy savings

status

  • completed

awards

  • dinz best design awards - spatial design - public and institutional spaces - gold

  • nzia resene colour award

  • nzia local architecture award

Modern interior space with a curved illuminated white wall, black floor, and colorful plastic chairs in blue and pink, along with barstools against the wall and a staircase leading up on the right side.
BETL03.jpg
Colorful modern benches in front of a large illuminated wall and glass window at a public transportation station, with two people walking in the background.
A person sitting on an orange bench, holding a phone, near red chairs, viewed through a glass window with a frosted white background.
Interior of a modern space with a backlit white illuminated wall, a staircase with black railings, and a row of white barstools along a counter.