London’s Elizabeth Line train network has won the Royal Institute Of British Architects’ (RIBA) Stirling Prize for architecture, being praised for its “flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport”.
The prestigious award, which has run since 1996, was given to design teams from Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRealis for the entire project including platforms, passenger tunnels, escalators, station concourses, signage and furniture.
It beat out the likes of London’s National Portrait Gallery, Sheffield’s Park Hill Phase 2 and the King’s Cross Masterplan in the capital, to the prize.
The Elizabeth Line, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, carries 700,000 passengers every weekday and spans 62 miles of track and 26 miles of tunnels, with RIBA president and jury chair Muyiwa Oki praising it for its “slick suite of architectural components”.
He 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.
“Descending into the colossal network of tunnels feels like entering a portal to the future, where the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience.
“This is architecture of the digital age – a vast scheme that utilises cutting-edge technology to create distinctive spatial characteristics and experiences.
“It rewrites the rules of accessible public transport, and sets a bold new standard for civic infrastructure, opening up the network and by extension, London, to everyone.”
The line’s designers received the award for navigating through centuries of untouched history buried beneath London, while also avoiding both new and ancient underground footings and sewage systems.
The excavation project became part of Britain’s largest-ever archaeological dig, uncovering historical artefacts including a Tudor bowling ball and 55-million-year-old woolly mammoth remains, while the six million tons of earth excavated were used to create an Essex nature reserve.
Its environmental considerations help to future-proof the network were also noted, and range from passive cooling at platform level to reduce the need for mechanical heating, to escalator motion sensors that minimise energy waste.
Space has also been created on the network for further air conditioning and temperature control, enabling it to evolve with the challenges of climate change.
The Elizabeth Line was also praised for its “quietly calm environment” in comparison to other lines on the TFL network.
It was described as “an exemplar of inclusive design” for its step-free access, hiding acoustic mats behind cladding to absorb excess noise, and employing a restrained colour palette to help create a sense of calm for those who find underground travel overwhelming.
Neill McClements, a partner at Grimshaw, said on behalf of the winning group of design teams: “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.”
The winner of the award was announced in an awards ceremony at London’s Roundhouse.
At the ceremony, four other projects also won RIBA awards, Croft 3 in the Isle of Mull, Wraxall Yard in Dorset, Chowdhury Walk in Hackney, and Shakespeare North Trust and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
