DESIGN

Eglinton Crosstown LRT Transit Upholstery Design

Client

Metrolinx

Scope of Work

• Fabric Research
• Design Concepts
• Renderings
• Material Choices
• Prototypes
• Production Liaison
  

KerrSmith is pleased to announce the launch of a new fabric design for the upholstery on the Bombardier light rail cars of the new “Cross-Town” Eglinton Line for Metrolinx and the TTC in Toronto. We worked with the global leader in the manufacture of transport sector upholstery, Camira in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK. Camira’s expertise includes the full range of spinning, dying, weaving, and finishing. Camira Textiles has been producing transport upholsteries for over 200 years.

A Random Pattern
The parameters for these coverings emphasize practicality. Fabrics must be extremely durable, easily cleaned and repaired. They must hide dirt and wear and tear. The pattern must be designed to be random enough to facilitate seamless and invisible patches.

We based the color selection on a range of the brand colours from the Toronto and Hamilton region transit systems. This palette represents the long-term and larger goal of transit system harmonization in the larger Toronto area. The pattern design was inspired by horizonal lines representing movement and connectivity. 

Extremely Durable 
Our upholstery solution is a plush fabric. The yarn threads stand upright from the structure of the material. The individual ends are cut at an even height to create a level surface. The result is soft but an extremely durable surface. The fabric was precisely modeled to fit the chairs on the Bombardier vehicles and coordinated with all aspects of the manufacturing process. We created several designs and patterns and collaborated with the client and the manufacturer over a series of prototypes to create the ideal solution. Refining colours and relevant yarn samples was an intricate process, as slight changes created overall significant shifts in the color tone and repetitive pattern.

Camira fabrics are fire retardant and meet the highest ecological standards. Check them out up on the Eglinton Line now.

Early Prototypes of Trial Colours

© KerrSmith Design 2023

KerrSmith Design
550 Queen St. East, Unit 335
Toronto, ON M5A 1V2
416-703-5377