Paddington and Woolwich Elizabeth station have been honoured at this year’s Civic Trust Awards, with the Special Award for Transportation and Infrastructure, the first time this has been awarded to two projects.
The Civic Trust Special Award for Transportation and Infrastructure is presented to an exceptional new or upgraded major infrastructure project that has transformed the civic realm and has a demonstrable qualitative effect on its context and environment. On presenting the awards the judges said of Paddington station: “A wonderfully exciting addition to the transport infrastructure of London. It is impressive, beautifully designed, and easy to travel in and find one’s way about.” And of Woolwich: “A modern infrastructure marvel of London which enables and connects new communities in the capital.
We were delighted to celebrate we our collaborators and supporters.
Howard Smith, TfL's Director of the Elizabeth line, said: “We are delighted at the recognition Paddington and Woolwich Elizabeth line stations received. Both are stunning buildings, as are all the new stations built as part of the Elizabeth line. Paddington’s design builds on the legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 1854 station building, while Woolwich station was built at the historic site of the Royal Arsenal and forms a key part of a development that includes 3,750 homes as well as cultural, heritage, commercial and leisure facilities.”
“The Elizabeth line has already seen more than 125 million journeys since its opening in May last year. It has truly transformed life and travel in London and the South East by dramatically improving transport links, cutting journey times, providing additional capacity, and transforming accessibility. My team and I are already focused on continuing to improve things for our customers and we look forward to introducing our new timetable changes in May."
Rob Naybour, CEO at WW+P said: “We are honoured to have received 4 awards from the Civic Trust and receive them on behalf of all those who made these projects possible, from politicians, planners and economists to designers, developers and contractors. Paddington and Woolwich stations are testament to the hard work and determination of the WW+P team, our clients, collaborators and many beyond. The stations, and their associated development and public realm, are truly city-making projects. The vision for the Elizabeth line and the realisation of these stations demonstrate a robust means to address the twin challenges of increasing urbanisation and creating humane, sustainable places.”
Paddington is the culmination of over ten years’ work which has transformed the passenger experience by radically improving routes to and through the station. Our work has delivered a highly visible and navigable main entrance for the first time, with the Elizabeth Line entrance extending beneath a 2,300 sq.m glazed roof. From a 300 metre long new public plaza, new entrance portals connect to the mainline station, with lifts and escalators taking passengers to the concourse and platform below. At street level, a pair of sculptural ventilation shaft enclosures, clad with tapering cast stone fins, help to frame the station entrance, and hint at the grandeur beneath.
Woolwich station is a key element in a masterplan for the regeneration of the former Royal Arsenal site. The single storey entrance building respects the smallest and oldest buildings around Dial Arch Square and signals the station’s public role. A simple bronze portal provides a monumental entrance, sinuous concrete beams, placed alongside perforated metal panels and thin lighting strips, lend visual interest to the ticket hall and contribute towards a pleasant and calm passenger experience.
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