Alien: California split-level bridge (1977 or 1978?) by Ron Cobb

 Leading from

Nostromo interior concepts

a) Californian split-level bridge

Ron’s first version of the bridge , done in felt tip pen was very spacious indeed; a wide angle look sort of split-level, California style with these huge windows. 

There were to be both giant video screens and two large viewing bubbles that would also feature computer readouts. 

b) Idea for a spectacular shot

He had this idea for a spectacular shot where you'd see the approaching planet rolling by on console screens, and then on final approach suddenly the windows, normally covered by protective shells, would open like giant eyes.and light would flood in and there would be the actual planet outside doing the same roll as the one on the screen. 

c) Bridge layout

Four crew members wou;s monitor the landing from gimbal-mounted seats with the aid of the computerised 'heads-up' displays.

In the central, elevated area of the bridge, the ship's officers determine the overall course and position of the ship, their only visual aid an elaborate multi-screen display of computer data. 

d) Decison to not use the design,and what was left

But it was decided that they couldn’t afford it, and they’d have to go to a Star Trek bridge with no windows and a viewing screen, and only the wing seats shown here survived in the finished film.

1. Ron Cobb: My first version of the bridge was very spacious indeed; sort of split-level, California style with these huge windows. I had this idea for a spectacular shot where you'd see the approaching planet rolling by on console screens, and then suddenly the windows would open and light would flood in and there would be the actual planet outside doing the same roll as the one on the screen. But it was decided that we could'nt afford it, and we'd have to go to a Star Trek bridge with no windows and a viewing screen. (https://www.geocities.ws/fixer1977/cobb6e.html)
2. SPLIT-LEVEL BRIDGE. Felt tip pen. A wide-angle look at Ron Cobb's first bridge design, one he affectionately called California Split-Level. There were to be both giant video screens and two large viewing bubbles that would also feature computer readouts. On final approach these view ports, normally covered by protective shells, would open like giant eyes. This would enable four crew members to monitor the landing from gimbal-mounted seats with the aid of the computerised 'heads-up' displays. In the central, elevated area of the bridge, the ship's officers determine the overall course and position of the ship, their only visual aid an elaborate multi-screen display of computer data. The proposed set was deemed far too expensive, and only the wing seats shown here survived in the finished film. (https://www.geocities.ws/fixer1977/cobb6e.html
3. A wide-angle look at Ron Cobb's first bridge design, one he affectionately called California Split-Level. There were to be both giant video screens and two large viewing bubbles that would also feature computer readouts. The proposed set was deemed far too expensive, and only the wing seats shown here survived in the finished film (Book of Alien by Scanlon and Gross.)