• CALENDAR
    • Add Your Event
  • architecture
    • art & literature
    • awards
    • buildings
    • sustainable
    • prefabricated
    • public space
    • residences
    • urban planning
  • design
    • art & literature
    • awards
    • collectables
    • concept
    • fashion
    • sustainable
    • home
    • lifestyle
    • safety & special needs
    • transportation
    • workplace
  • editor’s pick
    • featured
    • gift ideas.
    • interviews
    • opinion
  • events
    • auctions
    • competitions
    • conference & Exhibitions
    • fairs
  • news
    • latest news
    • elsewhere
    • lifestyle
    • people
    • producer
    • retailer
DesignApplauseDesignApplauseyour daily design dose
  • CALENDAR
    • Add Your Event
  • architecture
    • art & literature
    • awards
    • buildings
    • sustainable
    • prefabricated
    • public space
    • residences
    • urban planning
  • design
    • art & literature
    • awards
    • collectables
    • concept
    • fashion
    • sustainable
    • home
    • lifestyle
    • safety & special needs
    • transportation
    • workplace
  • editor’s pick
    • featured
    • gift ideas.
    • interviews
    • opinion
  • events
    • auctions
    • competitions
    • conference & Exhibitions
    • fairs
  • news
    • latest news
    • elsewhere
    • lifestyle
    • people
    • producer
    • retailer

Routemaster redux.

Home designconceptRoutemaster redux.

Routemaster redux.

Jul 8, 2009 | concept, sustainable |
advertisement

route1Co-design challenge winner Aston Martin and architecture super-firm Foster + Partners have teamed up to give the famed double-decker Routemaster a makeover.
route2
route3
route4
route5

Designed in collaboration with Aston Martin in response to Transport for London’s competition to design a new bus for the city. There are two first place winning design challenges pre-opinions with a vehicle that is environmentally sensitive, accessible and reinvents a much-loved symbol of London for the modern era. After an intense period of research which included canvassing opinion from passengers, drivers and conductors, the team worked to design a new bus from the inside-out. In doing so, consideration was given to a wide range of issues including layout, use of materials, motive power, passenger experience and the impact of the bus on the environment of the city.

The bus is designed to navigate the dense and varied streets of London, employing innovative technologies to allow for greater maneuverability and energy conservation. Optimizing safety, the driver’s cabin provides panoramic views as well as incorporating screens to supervise CCTV images and radio communications with the on-board conductor. Much like a car or a building, the design evolved in response to the needs of its users. The layout, lighting and wooden floors are conceived to encourage a spirit of warmth and community. The arrangement of the decks is driven by comfort and particular consideration is given to the selection of reconstituted leather upholstery to create a tactile ‘living room’ feel, especially in the saloon-like lower deck.

The new bus is zero emissions ready, accessible for all and will set new standards for sustainable public service vehicles. Passengers benefit from views from the top of the deck through a glazed roof which incorporates solar cells to absorb sunlight and generate energy. By filtering daylight the internal temperature is well controlled. The bus design re-introduces the rear open access platform that made London’s Routemaster bus so popular up until its withdrawal from general service. This is supplemented by a side door to facilitate access for those with impaired mobility as well as families with young children.

Below: Co-winner and alternate bus concept by capoco design
route6

aston martin
capoco design
foster + partners

0
Share
DesignApplause

about DesignApplause

DesignApplause (DA) is an architecture and design online narrative with over 5,000 interdisciplinary photo-rich articles and editorials. from interviews with significant creative forces such as founders/owners, architects, artists, critics/curators, designers, educators, historians and producers, to the discovery of front-line architecture and innovative products, DA is read by a worldwide audience.

view all entries by DesignApplause.

You also might be interested in

Ditch your car. Ride a pi.

marcus hays, founder and designer of pimobility, has hit on something pretty special with his electric-hybrid bike, the picycle.

bicycle, electric, electric bicycle, electric-hybrid bicycle, green, hybrid, hybrid bicycle
Aug 5, 2010

Living architectures marathon.

27 june > 20 september 2013 | venice

architecture, art, design, design conference, exhibition, Frank Gehry, Herzog & de Meuron, Ila Bêka, Italy, la biennale, living architectures marathon, Louise Lemoine, rem koolhaas, Renzo Piano, richard meier, Venice Biennale 2013
Jun 29, 2013
Alessi in love. Design contest.

Alessi in love. Design contest.

1 august > 3 december 2013

alberto alessi, alessi, cranbrook academy of art, design awards, design competition, design contest, Laura Polinoro, love objects, products
Aug 1, 2013

Contact Us

We're currently offline. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message
DesignApplause

your daily design dose

Follow Us


about us
contact/help
privacy policy

ADVERTISEMENT

LATEST NEWS

  • lissoni new york introduces lissoni architecture.
  • ford switches gears re most dramatic auto business model switch in your lifetime.
  • expo chicago 2023 discovers artists that embrace architecture and design.
  • a man for all reasons brit architect/designer david chipperfield wins 2023 pritzker architecture prize.
  • the beginning is the most important part of the work. hello 2023.

All content ©2007 > 2022 DesignApplause

Prev Next