The Elizabeth Line has been shortlisted for the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, the Stirling Prize.
The jury for the competition, run annually by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), has selected the new rail network along with five other feats of architecture, with a winner to be announced on 16th October.
A “transport tour de force”, the jury was particularly impressed by the passenger experience delivered by the Elizabeth Line.
They wrote:
“The overall material palette is limited, with concrete-lined walls, and glass and stainless steel to the platform edge screens and technological totems.
“Passenger wayfinding is key to the experience. Information has been cleverly ordered. Waiting for the train, the directions are clearly displayed only on the platform edge screen. Stepping off the train, you will find the guidance you need on the back wall of the tunnel, facing you. There are no other display distractions here.”
The Elizabeth Line has already picked up several awards from RIBA this year, including the London Award 2024, London Building of the Year and the RIBA National Award 2024.
The jury was also impressed by the network’s sustainable credentials: “The Elizabeth Line defies most of the current metrics of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge. The initial whole life carbon assessment revealed that a huge amount of carbon would be used in the creation of the tunnels.
“The 120 year lifespan of the project meant that much could be attributed to operational energy, far outweighing the embodied carbon created. This realigned the focus on the operation and maintenance of the scheme, with easily replaceable and accessible elements. Ultimately the team created their own benchmarks, which has resulted in this being one of the UK’s most sustainable infrastructure projects.”
Due to the Stirling Prize’s criteria, all eligible projects must have been completed between October 2020 and December 2022. The Elizabeth Line’s competitors are Chowdhury Walk, the King’s Cross Masterplan and the National Portrait Gallery, all also in London, along with Park Hill Phase 2 in Sheffield and Wraxall Yard in Dorset.
RIBA President Muyiwa Oki said: "These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and diversity of architecture today. From major national infrastructure to brave and brilliant council-led housing, these varied schemes are united in making sensitive contributions to elevating everyday life.
“This is purposeful yet unassuming architecture – architecture that brings joy to people’s lives and strengthens the fabric of our society.”
Image credit: Hufton and Crow
