Wednesday 25 April 2012

Russell Square tube station: another icon

Along with Edgware Road tube station on the Bakerloo Line, Russell Square tube station on the Piccadilly Line is another of the iconic products of Leslie Green. It still retains its red tile facade and cast iron lanterns of the Edwardian period. Inside the station you will find the original black, green, and white tiles complete with the exit instructions fired onto the ceramic tiles. The way tiles have been laid across the platform tunnel ceiling, contrasting with the keystone-framed train tunnel, is an excursion into exquisite design. Don't you think?

Platform tunnel at Russell Square tube station,
Piccadilly Line, London
The framed tile instructional signs recall the shapes of the ticket windows at Edgware Road station. But just in case you think that these signs circa 1906 might not still be accurate, the modern sign (in smaller font) reinforces the message.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, the "No Exit" sign is certainly convincing.

lee said...

The tiles in those pictures, including the "way out" and "no exit" signs are not circa 1906 but infact date from 2008 when the station was re-tiled with a copy of the original design. They did a pritty good job of it however a few small details are wrong if you know what you are looking for. Duug Rose (www.dougrose.co.uk/) has made an excellent book on the subject.