RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Northern - Over £200,000

The brief was simple: to provide a new experience in bus travel in terms of design, amenities and finish. Within an existing 15.5x90m double-height space, in the ground floor of a multi-storey carpark, a public concourse, travel centre, ticket kiosk, flexibus office, shop, cafe, electronic timetable screens etc. are provided in an air-conditioned environment.

A mezzanine floor provides general office space. The accomodation is laid out to one side of a public concourse stretching the full length of the building. The interior is light and airy, with controlled, soft colours and curvilinear forms to soften the building's hard rectangular quality, creating the illusion of movement. Internal walls are finished in off-white partitioning, pink granite and mirror cladding; floors in ceramic tiles; ceilings in solid and egg crate forms; signage in silk-screen printed aluminium with extensive interior planting.

The Centre includes a large sculpture entitled 'The Waterfall of Souvenirs' by John Kindness. Externally a new parcels building, paved forecourt and covered platform are provided.