something I said

They’ve given us a profile (and a bit of a walkthrough), but where’s the context?

I was out pushing a mower today, so missed the best public space news of the year, as announced here, here, here, here, and here. It’s that good, and worth repeating again. Something to replace the dowdy box known as New Street Station, the service entry to Birmingham.

The slinky roofline made of glass and/or metal panels (mmm hott!) is a cheeky/cheerful update on C19 Exhibition style buildings, inclusive of the former New Street. If Selfridge’s is Mae West, this is the train of her gown.

But the designers/promoters are not telling us whether there’s any connection between the two structures. They aren’t showing us any context at all. So while I’d like to see how this slinky shed relates to the Bullring, I am more concerned that it’s just another statuesque building plonked into space without a thought for the way people will experience the transition from their train to the wonderful world of Brum.

The new design - if it gets built - is far better than any mainline station between Manchester and Paris, but if it neglects to announce Birmingham to the new arrival, it’s taking a half step forward rather than the whole step the city deserves.

I say mainline station because at least one London Underground station does very much what’s required. The Jubilee Line station entrance at Canary Wharf is a piece of sculpture in its own plaza. It’s a pleasure to walk in and out of that portal. Going in, one can imaginatively anticipate the prospects of travel, of a journey. Coming out, one feels acknowledged, welcome. Try to say that about going in or out of the current New Street or Snow Hill stations. There’s nothing inviting or inspiring about either.The word that comes to mind for both is insipid. And that’s not the kind of first impression I want anyone to have, nor the kind of day-to-day reminder.

If you want me to think that Birmingham is a lovely place to visit, or live, start at the train station. By giving it a grand portal. Make me happy to go in and out of that place every day.

Mae West’s train deserves a bit of red carpet. A landscape that gives it room to move, to show off. So where’s the plan drawing, the sense of context for this new shed?