Oral history; Interview with Paul Priestman, 2017
Main details
| Reference number | 2018/146 |
|---|---|
| Description | Paul Priestman discusses the New Tube for London project. |
| Interviewee | Paul Priestman |
| Dates | 10/05/2017 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 100% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Object title Oral history interview with Paul Priestman -
Interview summary
Track 1 of 1 [00.38.36] Paul Priestman (PP) was born just outside of London on 8 June 1961, his father an Architect and his mother a Textile Designer. PP went to a boarding school just outside of London, where he became interested in ceramics, which eventually got him interested in Design. PP studied an Art Foundation and a degree in Industrial Design Engineering at Central Saint Martins, he later went on to do an MA at the Royal College of Art in Product Design [00:02:52]. PP recalls setting up his business in his bedroom after graduating from University, PriestmanGoode was founded with Nigel Goode in the early 1990s. PP explains that PriestmanGoode is a design company specialising in transportation design and focussing on the customer experience and the brand. PP describes designing Terminal 5 at Heathrow [00:10:00]. PP explains that he is the Global Creative Director of CRRC Sifang Co. in China (the largest High speed locomotive manufacturers in the World), where he is involved in designing high speed trains, including Metro's for different parts of the world (Chicago, Hong Kong, London). PP describes designing taking into account cultural requirements, he explains that in China they have to have boiling water in each car for cups of tea, in Asia people have to face forward when travelling, so all the seats have to rotate at the turn-around of a train, in Australia they need surfboard racks and in Austria a place where you can store and repair your ski's [00:14:00]. PP describes the New Tube for London project, which started in 2012 and will go into service in the 2020s on many of the deep tube lines. PP describes the features of the interior and exterior of the New Tube for London [00:25:20]. PP talks about futureproofing with the New Tube for London and using materials that improve with age [00:26:44]. PP talks about researching into materials and finishes for the New Tube for London looking at references from London, they had a number of different [colour] palettes for Modern London, traditional London and future London. PP explains that moquette for New Tube for London was discussed and chosen as a team with Transport for London and London Underground, he goes on to talk about how certain cities can have soft furnishings whereas in other cities it would be vandalised. PP explains that moquette does several things, it is warm to the touch for people wearing shorts and skirts, it has an acoustic quality to cut down sound in the train, and it gives it a lovely character, warmth and feeling of London-ness [00:33:32]. PP explains that the biggest challenge with the New Tube for London project was trying to increase capacity, within the constraints of the tunnel size and the existing platforms. One of the most rewarding achievements was the launch of the New Tube for London at Kings Cross with the Mayor of London [00:36:28]. PP explains that currently one of the biggest issues is pollution and congestion in cities; as a designer, PP feels passionate about encouraging people to make that transition from their cars and onto public transport, this is something that is championed at PriestmanGoode. End of track [00:38:36] -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Georgia Morley, 10/05/2017Interviewee Paul Priestman -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Interview location PriestmanGoode Office, 10/05/2017