London’s newest transport network, the Elizabeth Line, has won this year’s RIBA Stirling Prize.
The prestigious architecture award was made earlier this month and celebrated the design of the line – including the lighting design by Equation – which runs across London from Heathrow Airport and Reading in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.
The Elizabeth Line in total comprises 62 miles of track, 26 miles of new tunnels and 10 new and 31 upgraded stations, and now averages 700,000 passenger journeys every weekday.
It was designed by architects Grimshaw, with Maynard, AtkinsRéalis and Equation, which were responsible for the line-wide design, with a further nine practices responsible for the new stations.
The winning scheme comprised the platform architecture, passenger tunnels, escalators, station concourses, signage, furniture, fittings, finishes and supporting technology. The 10 new stations have each been designed separately.
Speaking on behalf of the RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Muyiwa Oki, RIBA president and jury chair, said: “The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport.”
“It’s an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity – through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease.”
Neill McClements, partner at Grimshaw, said: “The Elizabeth Line is a piece of infrastructure that has been transformative, not only for London’s transport network but also for many people’s lives, highlighting the role design plays in elevating our every day.
“It is also a recognition of the challenges that our profession faces today – the responsibility we have to rapidly respond to the climate emergency, decarbonise our cities and prioritise social and economic equity. We know this is only achievable through collaboration and the Stirling Prize recognises all of the design and construction teams that have come together to make the project the success that it is.”
Image: Shutterstock
