The King’s Cross Tunnel
Connecting the transport hubs of Kings Cross to its bars, restaurants and public spaces
The subway tunnel is a newly built 90 metre long pedestrian tunnel at King’s Cross. The beautifully designed tunnel links the two arterial transport hubs – St Pancras International and King’s Cross Underground stations – to the new public spaces, restaurants, offices and homes at King’s Cross.
The tunnel was designed by Allies & Morrison Architects (one of the firms behind the masterplan of the entire King’s Cross redevelopment) and Speirs + Major.
Partner at Allies & Morrison, Graham Morrison, described the tunnel as ‘a new threshold for King’s Cross, [that is] welcoming, positive and happy – an invitation’.
An illuminating showcase for artists
The gently curving underground tunnel features an ‘art wall’ made from LED lights, which will be used to showcase artistic commissions. The art light wall was designed by Spiers & Major and built by The Light Lab. Running the length of the tunnel the lightwall contains 190 controllable vertical pixels set behind 12mm toughened glass.
The first commissioned piece to greet commuters was an artwork called Pipette, created by The Cross Kings and Tom Sloan Design. It is a tranquil, animated piece located in the new subway entrance and was conceived as a surface evoking the colourful tapestry of King’s Cross. The colours in Pipette are an unusual range, seldom seen in LED systems, and works in harmony with the existing lighting scheme as well as the architecture.
The subway tunnel will be open for use by pedestrians Monday-Sunday, 7am until 8pm.
