It’s had a very bumpy ride since opening just over two years ago with commuters left infuriated by trains breaking down, track faults and signalling issues.
But a more positive aspect the Elizabeth line has become known for is its impressive station architecture, which has now been shortlisted for a top prize.
A series of stunning stations were built in the underground section of the £18.9billion development including Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street and Farringdon.
And it is now one of six projects in the running for the Stirling Prize 2024, the UK’s leading architecture award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba).
The Transport for London ( TfL) rail service opened in May 2022 and runs from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east.
More than 350million journeys have been made already – but it has suffered a series of reliability problems, including when thousands of commuters were stranded for hours last December outside Paddington because of a problem with overhead wires.
CANARY WHARF: Station sits below Crossrail Place, a five-storey mixed-use development
WHITECHAPEL: Station features a swooping raised concourse that bridges across the tracks
LIVERPOOL STREET: Mica crystals are mixed into the pre-cast white concrete at this station
FARRINGDON: Large corner entrances and flooring made from City of London paving stones
TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD: Station features black metal cladding and steel downlighting
BOND STREET: New street-level ticket halls were designed for the station which opened late
PADDINGTON: Station has 120-metre glass and steel canopy, giving light 20m below ground
Massive queues at London Paddington station yesterday due to the Elizabeth line closure
No Elizabeth line trains were running from Woolwich in South East London yesterday morning
And passengers again faced delays this morning due to a points failure at Southall in West London. This came after severe disruption for much of yesterday due to over-running engineering works which blocked the central section of the line.
Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize 2024: Six nominees
The Elizabeth Line, London by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and Atkins
Chowdry Walk, London by Al-Jawad Pike
King’s Cross Masterplan, London by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates
National Portrait Gallery, London by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell
Park Hill Phase 2, Sheffield, by Mikhail Riches Architects
Wraxall Yard, Dorset, by Clementine Blakemore Architects
The opening itself in 2022 was delayed following a number of setbacks and construction problems, in part due to difficulties installing complex signalling systems.
But design team Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and Atkins have now been nominated for their work on the infrastructure project.
The jury who selected the shortlist said ‘the passenger experience feels significantly different from other tube lines’ and added that the carriages are ‘decluttered and calm’.
As for the other projects on the shortlist, Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell are nominated for their work on the National Portrait Gallery, which was re-opened by the Princess of Wales in June 2023 following its three-year £41.3million refurbishment.
Award-winning British artist Dame Tracey Emin created 45 hand-drawn female portraits that were cast in bronze as artwork for the gallery’s new entrance doors.
The jury said the project ‘reaffirms the Gallery’s position as a cultural landmark in the heart of London, poised to continue its legacy of storytelling and connection with the public’.
Among the other nominees is Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates for the King’s Cross Masterplan.
The regeneration has seen the creation of new streets, squares, offices, schools, university facilities and accommodation sit alongside restored historic structures.
The architects have also re-opened Regent’s Canal to the public and created an ‘urban beach’.
This summer there is a free-to-enter Team GB fanzone at Lewis Cubitt Square, where the public can watch the Paris Olympics on a big screen.
The jury said the project is ‘a global exemplar in how to make a community of places which supports human activity, maintains an urban identity, and is supple enough to accommodate inevitable change’.
Elsewhere, London-based architectural practice Al-Jawad Pike is nominated for Chowdhury Walk, which has been described as ‘an exemplary blueprint for social housing’.
The council housing project in Hackney, which includes a public thoroughfare for pedestrians and cyclists, has been built on a plot previously occupied by garages and ad-hoc parking.
The jury said it shortlisted the 11-home site as it ‘is an elegant piece of architectural and urban design, providing new homes that are successfully knit into their context – satisfying both resident and passer-by’.
Architectural practice Mikhail Riches has been nominated for revitalising the Park Hill Phase 2 development in Sheffield.
The structure, which sits on a hillside overlooking Sheffield city centre, has been chosen by the jury as they were ‘particularly impressed by how the architects have overcome the many challenges of the 1950s structure and delivering a project during the Covid-19 pandemic’.
Wraxall Yard is another project, that sits outside of London, in the running to win.
Clementine Blakemore Architects has been shortlisted for converting a dilapidated Dorset dairy farm into an accessible holiday accommodation which includes public spaces aimed at boosting engagement with wildlife and farming.
There is also a focus on providing accessible features for wheelchair users and other disabled guests.
The jury selected the project as they said it ‘shows an extraordinary level of ambition and commitment’.
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.
Commuters pack Bond Street station’s platform during Elizabeth line disruption last October
Rail passengers wait for updates at Canary Wharf Elizabeth line station on October 12 last year
Passengers on the Elizabeth line face disruption at Hayes and Harlington station last October
Huge queues at Woolwich station amid Elizabeth line disruption in London in September 2023
Passengers on an Elizabeth line train through London at 8pm on September 25 last year
‘Whether raising the bar for social housing, upgrading city transportation or repurposing dilapidated buildings to create heritage-conscious urban and rural developments, each scheme thoughtfully adapts elements of our existing built environment.
‘At a time when the need to preserve our planet’s resources is greater than ever, these projects are to be commended for placing regeneration and restoration front and centre, transforming well and lesser-known landmarks to create highly sustainable places for future generations.
‘This is purposeful yet unassuming architecture – architecture that brings joy to people’s lives and strengthens the fabric of our society.’
The prize is given to the architect of the building thought to be the most significant of the year and is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality.
The winner of the 2024 Riba Stirling Prize will be announced live at London’s Roundhouse on October 16.
