The Elizabeth Line: A Triumph of European Infrastructure and Design
An Overview of the Elizabeth Line
The Elizabeth Line, previously known as Crossrail, stands as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Europe. This new addition to London’s public transport system spans 42km of tunnels beneath the city, connecting 10 new stations while upgrading another 30 for improved service. The fully accessible network of 40 stations now links Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, marking a 10% increase in London’s public transport capacity.
WilkinsonEyre’s Contribution to the Project
WilkinsonEyre, a renowned architectural firm, was instrumental in the development of the Crossrail station at Liverpool Street. Their involvement dates back to the project’s initial phase in the mid-1990s and they were re-engaged when the project resumed in 2002. The firm played a crucial role in all design stages, safeguarding the design intent on behalf of the client. The refined elegance of their design echoes the high standards of London’s residential interior design inspirations.
Design Elements of Liverpool Street Station
The design of Liverpool Street Station encompasses two platform tunnels stretching 245m, connecting Moorgate and Liverpool Street Stations. The station also features new ticket halls and escalator boxes that lead to street level and connect to existing London Underground and Network Rail services. The planning of the new tunnels had to consider various subsurface constraints, including the existing Northern and Circle Lines, Post Office Railway, and the foundations of existing buildings.
Architectural Approaches and Aesthetics
The architectural approach employed at Liverpool Street Station was driven by the desire to maximise height in constrained spaces and introduce as much daylight as possible to subterranean areas. A shallow, geometric folded ceiling plane, formed by ribbed pre-cast concrete soffit panels, breaks the perception of low, flat ceilings, creating a greater sense of space, scale, and movement.
Integrating Light and Space
The entrance into the underground eastern ticket hall is marked by a striking five-meter-high glazed canopy located in an open pedestrian plaza at Broadgate. This canopy allows natural light to filter below ground during the day, while at night, it acts as a lantern with artificial lighting from inside illuminating the streetscape. The western ticket hall, located at street level, is accessed through an angular portal entrance framed by bold blue coloured glass.
Improving Passenger Experience
Adding value and improving the passenger experience was a key consideration during the design development process. This included revising the location and design of the Moorgate-end of the station. The station’s design evolved from a standalone structure to a fully integrated station, allowing the existing ticket hall to remain operational during construction.
The Elizabeth Line: A Milestone in European Public Transport
The Elizabeth Line, with its state-of-the-art design and infrastructure, represents a significant advancement in Europe’s public transport system. The project, in which WilkinsonEyre played a crucial role, showcases the successful integration of architectural design and functionality, while maintaining a focus on improving passenger experience.