London Bridge station named on shortlist for RIBA Stirling Prize 2019

Region & Route:

Southern

South East

London Bridge Station was today named in the shortlist for UK architecture’s most prestigious award, the RIBA Stirling Prize 2019.

The RIBA Stirling Prize is given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment. The winner will be announced on 8 October.

Based on a design by Grimshaw, London Bridge station re-opened in May last year following a £1bn transformation as part of the Government sponsored Thameslink Programme, a partnership between the Department for Transport, Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway, Southeastern and Siemens.

In a five-year build programme the project created the largest street-level station concourse in the UK, larger than the football pitch at Wembley stadium, preserved many historic features while also making a major contribution to the regeneration of this area of London.

Work included a major track upgrade, a new rail underpass on the approach to the station and platform widenings and extensions, all of which means 30per cent more trains can use the station than before.

London Bridge is the oldest station in central London and the fourth busiest in the UK. The station was originally built as two separate stations. The rebuild means that for the first-time passengers can reach all 15 platforms from one concourse.

Throughout the rebuild the station remained open to ensure rail services were maintained for the 55m customers who use it each year.

The station earned its place among the six strong Stirling Prize shortlist having previously been awarded a RIBA London Award 2019, a RIBA National Award 2019 and being named the RIBA London Building of the Year 2019

John Halsall,  Network Rail’s managing director, Southern Region said: “Being named on the shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize is a great honour. It recognises that we have created an exciting and vibrant building which not only serves passengers but makes a wider contribution to architecture and the local community.

I would like to congratulate Grimshaw for this achievement and pay tribute to everyone who delivered this challenging project creating a transport hub fit for the future.

Mark Middleton, Partner at Grimshaw said: “In addition to delivering the operational imperatives for Network Rail’s Thameslink programme, we wanted to link two areas of Southwark through the station, as well as activating the streets in the surrounding neighbourhood and providing a space of civic scale and presence. This has been no small feat, and with these combined elements, London Bridge station is a new type of transport hub that is deeply rooted in its context and community.”