London has had its fair share of urban planning controversies and contentious constructions in recent years, but the city is experiencing an overwhelmingly positive transformation in at least one realm of urban design. London’s rail infrastructure is experiencing something of a revival after decades of architectural misfires, and the latest train-related project to be thrown into the spotlight this month is Euston Station’s High Speed 2 Terminal proposed by Grimshaw Architects.
© Grimshaw Architects
Euston HS2 Terminal by Grimshaw Architects
The British firm has unveiled its designs for a grand new entrance and vaulted roof to replace Euston’s ailing 1960s terminal, a broadly unpopular structure colorfully described by the Times critic Richard Morrison: “It gives the impression of having been scribbled on the back of a soiled paper bag by a thuggish android with a grudge against humanity and a vampiric loathing of sunlight.”
Designed in collaboration with Arup, the new station will boast 11 new platforms for the United Kingdom’s High Speed 2 railway. A 125-foot (38-meter) glass façade will transform the concourse into a light and airy space complete with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Substantial improvements to Euston’s underground station will also be included.
Euston HS2 Terminal by Grimshaw Architects
“It’s time for Euston to change — not just if it is to fulfill its historic role as the gateway between London and much of the rest of the country, but also if it is to become a much bigger and fully accessible part of its own community,” declared Simon Kirby, Chief Executive of High Speed 2 Limited.
“Just a stone’s throw away, we have seen how the stations at King’s Cross and St. Pancras have transformed the surrounding areas into vibrant and thriving locations. We must replicate and build on that commercial and architectural success. Now is the time for Euston to catch up with its neighbors to meet the requirements of the 21st century and beyond.”
King’s Cross Station by John McAslan + Partners
Completed two years ago, the transformation of King’s Cross Station has been hailed as a major success. John McAslan + Partners combines a striking lattice canopy with a sensitive renovation of the historic terminal, while Stanton Williams masterminded the restoration of the terminal’s iconic double-arched front elevation. Just across the road, Sir George Gilbert Scott’s stunning St. Pancras Renaissance hotel was carefully restored by Aedas and unveiled in 2011.
London Bridge Station by Grimshaw Architects
King’s Cross has set a tremendous precedent for Grimshaw Architects to follow, and the firm is already plotting its own success story on the south bank, where London Bridge Station is undergoing its own radical makeover. In collaboration with WSP and Hyder, the firm has proposed what it describes as “the cornerstone of the Thameslink improvement project.” Sweeping metallic canopies will shelter newly renovated platforms, and a new concourse “larger than the pitch at Wembley Stadium” will be built at ground level, becoming a vital new public space in the district.
Euston HS2 Terminal by Grimshaw Architects
Back at Euston, a carefully orchestrated construction process will be phased to allow all existing services to run uninterrupted while the new terminal is built. Plans to bring high-speed rail to the station and restore its place at the heart of the country’s transport network will be submitted to Parliament this week.