Underground Rail: History and Cultural Variants

I chose to model an underground rail environment for many different reasons. I think that rapid transport services such as the Metro, Subway and Underground are often taken for granted. There is so much to be expected on the service and so much that is not appreciated. The complexity of the system is incredibly fascinating, how multiple layers of tunnel and train interlink with each other. How fast it actually is and how time management is kept through all the different stations and trains, it is quite amazing just how efficient the Underground truly is. However, it is no longer looked at as a good service, but one that always needs to improve. The high rate of public filtering through Underground rail is growing, making the environment busy and chaotic, which shrouds the beauty of this historical innovation. Aside from the service, Underground, Subway and the Metro are beautifully constructed, with use of considered colours, images, advertisements  text and materials. Even the general layout of many stations is used to invite people to admire the architectural design, but sadly in modern times this is overlooked. During the first few years of the unveiling with London's Underground rail service, only people of a higher class would take that travel option. This is due to the expense of the rail service but also was considered a high class form of travel as much of the architectural design was magnificent. It was something new and unique, with so much bursting potential, it was almost a large piece of artwork that was admired by all.

London Underground Rail Service

Underground rail  was first introduced in 1863 within central London to create a rapid transport system for the public. The London Underground railway system was the definition of transport innovation, providing thousands of people with fast and efficient way to travel around the city. It also was produced add reduce congestion with the streets above the underground, therefore making an easier flowing transport system. Soon after the production of the Underground, many other countries began implementing there own rapid transport ideas. In France, the Metro emerged in 1900 to provide Paris with a fast commuting transport service. America too generated an underground rail service popularly called the 'Subway'. In present times many cities and largely populated urban environments, use a rapid transport rail system to loosen congestion and provide an efficient service of travel. The Metro exists primarily in Europe, or at least that definition of rapid transport rail. The Underground and Subway definitions are primarily derived from Britain, America, Australia and eastern Asia.

New York Subway

I have personally traveled to many locations that have the use of rapid transport services such as the Underground and the Metro. It is actually really inspiring to see how different cultures have such diverse variations. For example, London's Underground service is quite small, compact with many tiny tunnels and walkways. However, the evolution of the service is evident in many different stations, making it visually impressive to see as you travel. From very old stations, with high ceilings, tiled pillars and wooden signs to futuristic metal frames, platform barriers and animated advertisements. The Underground produces a visual example of the evolution of the service, which I believe is something unique to showcase the important history of Londons most iconic system. A comparison of this for me, is when I visited the Metro in central Oslo, Norway. Their system is far more recent and modernized, with a lot of space, modern technology and systems. Oslo is a far less populated city to London, so the congestion rate isn't as high, therefore making the Metro system a far less chaotic place. It is interesting to see how there isn't many tunneled walkways or escalators, which I believe is due to the lack of platforms and services. The general atmosphere of the Metro in Oslo is far less manic and it's modern use of design adds more space, which is a comfort within such a popular urban environment. However, I find the Underground more impressive due to it's visual history. There was one station in Oslo that was noticeable older than the other networks of the city. It was one very large and lengthy tunnel, with a high curved ceiling and huge metal spot lights. It looked almost like an enlarged military bunker, which is actually quite nice to see in comparison to the other modern aspects of the service. It adds more historical depth to Norway's version of the Metro.

Metropolis (Metro) Oslo, Norway

I read a small book called ' London Underground' by David Long. Long focuses on the production of the Underground by a famous architectural designer known as Frank Pick. Pick was the insight to the design of the rapid transport system, producing everything from the initial service, to materials used, advertisements presented, the type of iconic font, planning of routes and even the development of the tube logo. It is interesting to see in the book how well considered every aspect of the Underground was constructed. The atmospheres in which they strived to achieve in such a unique and architecturally beautiful, urban icon. Some of the images in the book are actually really beautifully taken. They really highlight the architectural design and beauty of the Underground. I noticed in many of the images, how small details are considered to represent aesthetically pleasure futures. For example, many tunnels and routes are almost perfectly symmetrical  from either sides. Escalators, platforms and walkways have a symmetrical design of some variation, which when looked at in a different perspective  really makes you think behind the design intention.

Here are some images I took from the book that highlight the architectural designs:

For my study I want to look a little deeper at the structural design of the London Underground and establish the efforts achieved by Pick. I figured it wise to research two variants of station, both new and old to gain a deeper perspective of the service history, especially how it has evolving. When it comes to producing my own environment, I want to be able to understand the infrastructure of an existing example so I have further knowledge of the design aspects.



Bibliography:

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Users/Help/screenshots/2011/3/30/1301496473088/London-Underground-train-007.jpg

http://lovingapartments.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/wurm91.png

http://www.dailydooh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Play-p%C3%A5-Nationaltheatret-3.jpg

http://english.chosun.com/media/photo/news/200603/200603150006_01.jpg

http://www.davidlong.info/london.underground.design/underground.jpg