A new bus shelter has been built at the University of East Anglia as part of a joint initiative by Norfolk County Council and UEA to improve the image and efficiency of public transport on campus.
Designed by Norwich-based LSI Architects, it aims to create a more positive and informative experience of public transport and to encourage even more staff and students to consider taking the bus.
The design of the shelter is based on a simple 'kit of parts' cantilevered steel structure arranged around a central spine. The angles of the roof structure change along the length of the shelter, creating a striking, folded effect. The modular nature of the design provides scope for use of the design elements within other structures on the campus.
Kirstin Aitken, architect at LSI, said: 'We developed this idea in the concept stage by creating a simple, interactive, peg based model which allowed us to try out the effect of different combinations of roof angles along the structural spine. This helped us to demonstrate how the roof structure can be used to create animation along the length of the shelter. The ultimate aim is that this new exciting design for a bus shelter challenges people's expectations in much the same way that we hope to encourage staff and students at UEA to look again and consider taking public transport.'
The shelter has been constructed by MJS Projects, using low carbon, recycled materials where suitable. The choice of sustainable materials was approached in a number of ways, including use of recycled materials, design for reuse and deconstruction, choosing highly durable materials with low maintenance requirements, and, in less vulnerable locations, use of timber.
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