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The Royal Institute of British Architects has awarded their 2024 Sirling Prize to the Elizabeth Line, designed by Grimshaw, Maynard Equation and Atkinsréalis. Completed in 2023, the project for London’s new transport network includes ten new stations, each designed in response to their individual contexts, connecting into unified line-wide architecture.
RIBA Stirling Prize jury chair and RIBA president Muyiwa Oki commended the project for its highly-inclusive, cohesive outcome, one which, according to the Institute, has already evidenced its social, economic and environmental value by expanding capacity, reducing congestion and creating employment opportunities since its opening.
“The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport,” Oki commented. “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.”
On behalf of the design team, 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.”
Across myriad elements, including platform architecture, passenger tunnels, escalators, concourses, signage, furniture, fittings and signage, the project was designed with longevity and in mind. According to the architect, the curved glass-reinforced concrete cladding that lines the tunnels was selected to enable an economy of scale while ensuring future ease of maintenance.
McClements observed that the project is “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.”
Other nominees in the six-strong shortlist for the prize included the large-scale regeneration of King’s Cross by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates and the transformation of the National Portrait Gallery in London by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell.
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