20.10.08
St Pancras international wins the crown estate conservation award
St Pancras International station in London, by Alastair Lansley, has won The Crown Estate Conservation Award 2008. The prize is awarded to the best work of conservation which demonstrates successful restoration or adaptation of an architecturally significant building. The announcement made on Saturday 11 October at a special awards ceremony for the RIBA Stirling Prize at The BT Convention Centre, Liverpool.
St Pancras is one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture and engineering. It has been redeveloped as the new international terminus for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The original train shed has been extended northwards in a modern style so as not to compete with the existing historic structure which has been sensitively altered and conserved.
The brief was to develop St Pancras to make the most of the historic building, signalling the return of the grand station to the UK and creating a 21st Century transport interchange. Because of the exceptional length of new international trains it meant that these could only be accommodated by extending north of the existing shed. The new extension covers all 13 platforms and the aluminium–clad louvre-blade and glass roof floats above the deck. The old and the new are separated by a glass transept more than 100m across and extends 22.5 m from the north gable to the extension roof. The original arched roof of the train shed has been cleaned, restored and repainted whilst the glazing to the crown of the arch has been restored to the original pattern with slate roofing.
Roger Bright, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate said of the choice of our Conservation Award winner: “I am delighted that St Pancras International station has won our coveted Award this year, for their seamless integration of modern architecture with skilful conservation, and their adventurous adaptation of previously underused spaces.
“This award is a true testament to the knowledge, skill and dedication of all involved in this project and should be celebrated. The long-term prospects for the station are now assured, securing the original station as part of a sustainable rail network.”
The Crown Estate Conservation Award judges were: Richard Griffiths, conservation architect; Paul Velluet, conservation architect HOK; Roger Bright, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate; and Tony Chapman, RIBA Head of Awards.
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