Oral history; interview with Julian Robinson, 2023
Main details
| Reference number | 2023/484 |
|---|---|
| Interviewee | Julian Robinson |
| Dates | 30/03/2023 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 59% |
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Physical description
Item content Attribute Value Object title Oral history interview with Julian Robinson, 2023 -
Interview summary
Track 1 of 1 [01:14:39] Julian Robinson was born in 1967 in Bromley, Kent to parents Linda and Peter. Mother was a housewife, father worked as an architect. Attended school in Penge and Beckenham. Always assumed he'd become an architect. Attended Brighton Polytechnic School of Architecture, with part three at Southbank University. Explains length of studies. Talks about early career. Joined Crossrail in 1993 as a junior assistant station architect. Employed by David Taylor, architectural design manager. Knew someone working on the project so applied. Moved to Jubilee line project in circa 1995 when Crossrail Bill failed. Worked on Canning Town station. Then moved to Northern line including Kings Cross Underground station. Worked at Transport for London's principal architect for a couple of years. Moved to private practice before joining High Speed 1 at St Pancras. Then worked for the Olympics before re-joining Crossrail as Head of Stations in 2008 [00:05:10]. Explains role. Became Head of Architecture during reorganisation. Explains station layouts not changing since 1990s plans. Describes changes he made to designs. At concept scheme phase. Describes Head of Stations remit. Setting architectural vision and appointing designers. Head of Architecture role involved running client architectural team. Explains vision brief. Ambition for world-class system. Explains C100 team. Responsible for common design for all stations [00:10:00]. Individual station architects appointed through engineering firms. Describes common features. Sub-set of TfL design but as individual mode. Explains individual station design. Talks about team workshops at early design stages. C100 concept always strong and clear [00:15:00]. London Transport past design explored. Key design elements set in 1990s. Platform screen doors and ventilation system ambitious. Talks about Paddington canopy being added. Designs expected to last 125 years. Design therefore restrained, not 'trendy'. Architectural engineering approach to design. Explains engineering impact on design of transport systems. Talks about Crossrail being clear about what it wanted from design [00:20:00]. Explains difference between client team and PDP team (Bechtel). Roles and responsibilities. Talks about multi-disciplinary teams and approach. Explains stages of work, RIBA plan of works. Stages C to F, each taking roughly a year. Tender packages for each stage of construction [00:25:00]. Fundamentals of design had been set early, contractors then worked on detail to complete design. Talks about his role in selecting designers. Explains mined, or tunnelled, stations and box stations [00:30:00]. Describes Elizabeth line identity and interaction with existing, connecting lines at stations. Talks about Whitechapel being complex site for build. Tight site plus Overground and Underground. Explains other station complexities. BDP Architects at Whitechapel. Explains communication between station architects. C100 team responsible to coherence. Talks about purple colour scheme [00:35:00]. Explains relationship with TfL Corporate. Talks about purple colour further. Neutral palette of overall design. Explains role and wanting to be visible on site. Talks about project delays including example at Farringdon [00:40:00]. Explains importance of sustainability. Working with Arup and BRE Group. Mentions Rob Paris and the overall project sustainability remit. Talks about supply of concrete cladding. Three suppliers - UK, Netherlands, Germany. Explains purchasing of supplies and framework of suppliers created by Crossrail. Describes prototyping and testing suppliers. Challenges of consistency [00:45:00]. Talks about platform screen doors. Full height to seal tracks from platform. Helps with ventilation efficiency. Describes original plans versus complex system that was created. Knorr-Bremse were sole contractor. Explains prototyping process and replication of design. Mentions test centre at Leighton Buzzard [00:50:00]. Talks about performance of doors and mentions how it links to signalling system. Explains engineer roles responsible for signalling. Highly complex system, unique for Crossrail. Ambition to keep platform environment clean for passengers. Mentions other similar systems [00:55:00]. Talks about customer information display system above the doors. Explains length of platforms and debates to make final decision. Value engineered to make platform shorter than original plan. Talks about wayfinding falling under C100 team by Maynard Design. Describes wayfinding system rational [01:00:00]. Brief written by Julian and team. Describes lighting design. Utilising different temperatures of light. Warm light on platforms, cooler light in circulation spaces. Cladding also shaped dependent on space. Explains lighting and other infrastructure being hidden. Mentions consultation with operational staff. Limited due to infrastructure manager not in place until later in project. Aimed to keep systems easy to use [01:05:00]. Reflects on stations being built for passengers so need to be priority. Talks about operational staff feedback. Describes curved walls, platform screen doors and wayfinding as unique features for Elizabeth line. Reflects original sketches and prototypes mirroring design that was constructed. Talks about enjoying working with a great team. Describes 'mini family', working together [00:10:00]. Left project a week after opening. Talks about opening day. Reflects on journey to completion. Explains role now as consultant including with Crossrail International. Talks positively about using Elizabeth line. Reflects on origins of project and the journey of development. Recommends speaking to David Taylor. Ends with clarifying original concept versus design being realised. [End of recording 01:14:39]. Please note: this is a summary of the full original recording rather than the edited web version -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Jen Kavanagh, 30/03/2023Interviewee Julian Robinson -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Interview location Palestra, 30/03/2023