Recently the London Transportation Department held a contest to redesign the iconic Double Decker bus, and we’re excited to announce the winning entry by renowned architects Foster + Partners! They’ve created a zero-emissions, super accessible, and environmentally innovative double decker bus that heralds a new era of sustainable public transportation for London.
We’ve covered a variety of Foster + Partners projects here at Inhabitat, and we were quite surprised to hear that their latest oeuvre was not a stunning green building, but a sleek eco-friendly bus.
The winning entry was a colaboration between Foster + Partners, Aston Martin and Capoco Design. The new bus features wooden floors, reconstituted leather upholstery, panoramic views, and naturally, a glazed roof that incorporates solar cells to generate energy and filter heat and daylight. As expected, the double decker’s classic red color remains.
The London Double Decker bus is one of the most iconic system of transportation in the world. Hopefully, this new bus will bring further impetus amongst cities to improve all of our public transport systems. The winning entry will be turned into a prototype by 2011.
+ Foster + Partners
+ Capoco Design
+ Aston Martin
Via Bustler
I can’t wait to see these on the capital’s streets; finally, London is investing in it’s own solutions rather than trying to save pennies by using ill fitting – bendy-bus – solutions.
Great!
First we had Norman Foster designed bridges (that wobble), now we have Norman Foster Designed buses (that well probably overturn in the bends). What is next? Norman foster designed toothbrush?
London – and beyond !
Now that their financial industry has imploded, the Brits may actually have something that they can export.
I want to study abroad in England.
I go to in Engaland, I take double bus!
It may be an icon for other countries but for the poor saps who have to ride in the things it has water sloshing about inside when it rains because the windows leak, it is freezing in winter and an unbearable oven in summer with no relief to be had by being able to open a decent size window. A civilized country would have air conditioning. Unless this new bus addresses these problems I am not impressed.