PHOTOS: Amazing Renovation of King’s Cross Station & New Western Concourse In Progress

Although still 6 months away from completion, the amazing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/green-renovation">renovation</a> of London's King's Cross Station is taking shape wonderfully. The massive three-pronged project designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/port-au-princes-historic-iron-market-restored-to-full-glory/">John McAslan + Partners</a> involves clever reuse, thoughtful restoration and new construction to create a new iconic work of architecture that will serve as a gateway to London and the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/london-olympics">2012 Olympics</a>. The restoration of the historic buildings and main train shed is already complete and now all that is left to finish construction on is the centerpiece of the station - the Western Concourse. The wave-like semi-circular canopy will be the largest single-span station structure in Europe and will transform the train station with natural daylighting into a welcoming and uplifting space.

Originally opened in 1852, King's Cross Station is a key station in London's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/belgian-high-speed-rail-system-to-get-solar-boost/">railway network</a> and it's proximity to the St. Pancras tube station make it a one of Britain's biggest transport hubs.

The solidly built station was unfortunately known to be dingy and dark, so one of the goal's of the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/green-renovation">renovation</a> was to make the station feel more inviting and uplifting.

The three-part project involved the renovation of the train sheds and surrounding support buildings, as well as a detailed restoration of historic buildings and the classic Victorian facade.

The new Western Concourse opens the station up, improves passenger circulation and amenities, and creates a better connection with the connecting metro station

Designed by Arup, the semi-circular concourse rises 20 m in height and spans the full 150m-length of the existing Western Range building cleverly incorporating the restored brickwork and masonry features of the historic building.

The juxtaposition of the new and the old references the past while surging on into the future.

The new vaulted canopy not only brings critical <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/natural-daylighting">natural daylight</a> into the space, but also provides new retail, support and administrative facilities necessary for the future of London's rail.

Construction on the Western Concourse is expected to be complete in March 2012, just in time for the influx of visitors before the Olympics.

Passenger numbers are expected to increase to 50 million annually in the station by next year.

"For the practice, and for me personally, the redevelopment of King’s Cross station isn’t just an exercise in updating an old Victorian railway terminus and creating a vastly improved travelling condition." <a href="http://www.mcaslan.co.uk/admin/uploads/Reference/Downloads/JMPKingsCross.pdf" target="_blank">said John McAslan</a>.

"I believe the reinvention and transformation of King’s Cross station is, quite simply, the most significant piece of place-making in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/london">London</a> for many years."

"And like its near neighbor at St Pancras, it promises to be a marvelous grand project in the great European tradition. So let’s salute this endeavor and look forward to celebrating its completion to coincide with London’s Olympic in 2012."

CAD model of the new concourse roof structure.

Construction on the Western Concourse, July 2011

Construction on the Western Concourse, July 2011

Construction on the Western Concourse, July 2011

Kings Cross Central - construction of the northen concourse for King's Cross Station in December &amp; February 2011

Kings Cross Central - construction of the northen concourse for King's Cross Station in February 2011

Cut-and-cover tunnelling for Metropolitan Railway circa. 1861.

Depiction of station on its opening circa. 1852.