Top architects in battle to design HS2 stations
SEVERAL internationally acclaimed architects are vying for the lucrative design contracts for Birmingham’s HS2 train stations.
They have made the shortlist to transform Birmingham Curzon Street and Birmingham Interchange, at the heart of the UK’s new high speed rail network.
The successful designers will form part of the design teams working with HS2 Ltd to develop and refine the detailed plans for the two brand new stations, with the first trains due to arrive in 2026.
Together, Curzon Street and Interchange are expected to welcome tens of thousands of people every day to the West Midlands and provide easy and accessible onward connections to local transport, airports and connecting rail services.
At Curzon Street, a public plaza will welcome passengers to what will be the largest building in Birmingham and a new icon for the city.
Seven 400-metre-long platforms will provide services to core HS2 destinations such as London, Manchester and Leeds and as well as beyond, to the North West, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and the North East. The plan for the Interchange station is to provide fast, reliable and direct access to Birmingham Airport for thousands of HS2 passengers from across the UK.
A people-mover will link the station with the Airport, the existing Birmingham International station and the National Exhibition Centre.
In total more than 91,000 new jobs are expected to be created in the wider development areas surrounding the two stations.
HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Thurston said: “The shortlisting of such strong contenders for the Birmingham design jobs is a major milestone for the project – setting the scene for the next stage of the station design process.
“Together with the successful bidders, we will go on to deliver one of HS2’s most tangible legacies – two brand new stations at the heart of the UK’s new high speed rail network.
“Curzon Street and Interchange both represent unique opportunities to showcase the very best in engineering and design while also delivering value for money.
“We are looking for partners to help us deliver stations which not only provide unparalleled levels of accessibility, ease and convenience for our passengers but who will work with local communities to help unlock wider regeneration, new jobs, homes and opportunities.”
The winning designs will be announced next year. The shortlisted bidders, and their lead architects, for the Birmingham stations are:
Mott MacDonald – Weston Williamson + Partners, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners and Glenn Howells Architects Arcadis – Foster + Partners Arup Wilkinson Eyre
TEAM CURZON/INTERCHANGE: Jacobs, BuroHappold Engineering and Idom,
WSP – Grimshaw working with Leslie Jones Architecture
HS2 chief Mark Thurston