Kings Cross Square International Design Competition

King’s Cross Square is destined to become one of the great public places in London. Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Grade 1 listed façade of King’s Cross railway station, it will be used daily by thousands of commuters, visitors and residents – a unique addition to the Capital’s palette of memorable street scenes. To create this new public plaza, an international two-stage design competition has been launched. This search for a world-class exemplar design is jointly sponsored by Network Rail and the London Borough of Camden – recognising not only the Square’s role as a major travel hub but also as a catalyst for wider urban regeneration.

Description
King’s Cross Square is destined to be one of the great public places in London. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Grade 1 listed façade of King’s Cross designed by Thomas Cubitt, this new urban square will be the setting through which in excess of a hundred thousand commuters, visitors and residents will pass each day.

An international, two-stage design competition to design the square is announced, jointly sponsored by the London Borough of Camden and land-owner and national railway agency Network Rail. The preliminary first stage seeks Expressions of Interest from architects, landscape architects and urban designers. From these responses a shortlist of six will be chosen to work up concept propositions, with the final decision made by a jury. It is Network Rail’s intention to appoint the winner to complete the design of the space, preferably in time for an opening before 2012, following completion of the transformation of the Grade 1 listed King’s Cross station, which is currently under construction.

King’s Cross Square will be unique in terms of position, multiple functions, and urban place-making potential. A world-class exemplar design is sought. The square will be one of London’s most high-profile public realm projects at the start of the 21st century, and as significant to this part of London as Trafalgar Square or Marble Arch are to their West End settings. In the event that King’s Cross Square can be completed by the spring of 2012, it will form the gateway of London’s most important international rail portal for the London Olympic Games.

The two-stage competition’s total design and construction budget is based on a £6m (approximately €7.8m, US$11.9m) budget at 2008 prices, inflation protected to date of construction. The competition process is being managed by Malcolm Reading Consultants, in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office and Network Rail’s lead architects for the King’s Cross station redevelopment programme, John McAslan + Partners.

Pre Qualification Core Questionnaire
Interested parties should provide a group response to the following questions:
1. List the team or designer and briefly explain ethos, history, and key relevant projects.
2. Describe your design methods and principles for projects of this type and indicate what might be achieved in the King’s Cross Square scheme. It is emphasised that these indications need not be developed in detail in this first stage of the design competition.
3. Set out, using images, explanatory texts or captions, completed projects or proposed schemes whose characteristics have a functional or placemaking relevance to King’s Cross Square. These examples must be the specific work of the design practice, and clearly identified as completed projects, ongoing projects or design proposals.
4. Explain your practice’s approach to sustainable design, and environmental sustainability.

Evaluation criteria and weighting
The Expressions of Interest will be assessed on the basis of the following Selection Criteria:
1. Track record of delivering design excellence, inventiveness and flair – 25%
2. Track record of delivering similar projects on time and on budget – 25%
3. Description of possible design approach, and understanding of key issues – 25%
4. Demonstration of awareness of sustainable development issues – 15%
5. Finance, certification and policies – 10%

Jury
To be announced

Prize
Each competitor who is invited to partake in Stage 2 will receive an honorarium of £6,000

Entry Fee
None

Submission Address
King’s Cross Square Competition
Malcolm Reading Consultants
45 – 46 Berners Street
London W1T3NE

Timetable
Pre-qualification period: 05.06.08 – 01.08.08
Evaluate questionnaires: 02.08.08 – 04.09.08
Invite shortlist to tender: 05.09.08
Competition stage: 05.09.08 – 31.10.08
Competitor open day: 19.09.08
Mid stage interviews: 03.10.08
Evaluate submissions: 01.11.08 – 12.12.08
Negotiate and appoint: 15.12.08 – 19.12.08

Promoter
Malcolm Reading Consultants

Official Website
http://www.malcolmreading.co.uk/kingsxsquare/