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Tuesday 21 May 2019

Hackney Wick station wins prestigious design award

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The re-developed Hackney Wick station has won a prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) London award ahead of a strong group of other shortlisted projects.

The station, which reopened in May 2018, won in the Community Benefit category and was on a shortlist of ten other projects that celebrates outstanding civil engineering achievement, innovation and ingenuity in London.

Projects in the Community Benefit category have made a significant contribution to society or given to a public space project that makes a positive impact upon the local community, a restoration of historic infrastructure or a project that improves the environment.

Designed by architects Landolt Brown, the station reflects the industrial heritage and waterways of the area while providing passengers with a light and airy ticket hall with new stairs and lifts to improve station access.

The judges were impressed by the look and feel of the station and were satisfied that the design reflects the area’s industrial heritage and encapsulates the artistry and creativity for which the area is well known. The design enables non-passengers to pass through the station building from north to south, and following remedial works to land on the north-side, the complex will be a welcome addition to the local community and those passing through.

 Peter Hendy Chair of Network Rail and the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: "It’s a testament to everyone who worked on the project that Hackney Wick station has been recognised by the ICE in winning this prestigious award for community benefit.

“Network Rail and the London Legacy Development Corporation have collaborated to create a bigger and better station for the people of Hackney while reflecting the unique culture and history of the area in the design.

“It’s been over a year since the station opened and more passengers make use of the vastly improved station with improved accessibility via an underpass to help connect the communities that live either side of the railway.  The project has attracted additional investment and regeneration in the Hackney area and beyond.”

Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development at the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “This has been a great team effort from a range of partners.

“The award is recognition of the vital role that Hackney Wick station plays in the regeneration of Hackney Wick and the surrounding area, creating homes, jobs and opportunities.”

Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said: "Our £1m investment, as part of a partnership with neighbouring boroughs, Network Rail and LLDC, in the redevelopment of Hackney Wick Station helps to future-proof it for an expanding local community, with better services, facilities and access for residents and businesses. 

"With residents having long told us that they felt cut off from the station, and Hackney businesses saying that not having a north entrance impacts their trade, the new station, which will soon also provide a new entrance into Hackney, significantly boosts the area's transport links. It's a deserved winner of the Community Benefit award."

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Since its reopening last year, Hackney Wick station has been admired by the many residents and businesses for whom it is an essential transport connection.

 “It pairs functionality with a design approach that nods effortlessly to the unique industrial and artistic heritage of the surrounding area.

 “This award is a fitting tribute to the work that went into its transformation.”

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s Director of Rail and Sponsored Services, said: “I’m really proud that Hackney Wick station has won the Community Benefit category at the recent ICE awards.

“This redeveloped, fully accessible station is at the heart of the growing local community and has been a great addition to the London Overground network, providing easier travel for those visiting and living or working in the area.”

Nick Ling, Director, Mott MacDonald, said: “This is great recognition for a project that has put local community and regeneration at its heart. It took great commitment from all involved, from clients and project supporters to artists, architects, engineers and contractors, to achieve this very special building.

“The artistic references to local heritage, nature and culture, boldly expressed in concrete and structure, will give this building a lasting legacy for Hackney Wick.

“As engineers and project managers we have enjoyed the strength of collaboration with our delivery partners, integrating architecture and art and working alongside the contractor to make our team’s vision buildable and affordable. A remarkable and memorable project.”

Adam Brown, Partner, Landolt and Brown, said: “From the very start of this Olympic Legacy project, the design team set out to create something highly place specific, drawing inspiration from the fascinating industrial history and gritty character of Hackney Wick and its canal side community of makers, artists and long-term residents.

“The ICE Award for Community Benefit is therefore particularly relevant as it recognises the positive impact the project has had for local people and the important part it will play in the wider regeneration of the Lee valley. The client, design and contracting teams worked in a highly creative and collaborative way from the earliest stages of design right through to final construction detailing and as an architect, I take particular pride in the fact that discipline boundaries between the engineers, architect, artist and craftsmen are indivisible, with each making an essential contribution to the creative whole.”

Network Rail delivered the £25 million project on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation, the principal funder with contributions from Tower Hamlets and Hackney Councils.

The station is a vital part of a wider regeneration plan to deliver a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood centre for the area, generating new job opportunities, new homes and workspaces.  

Other projects shortlisted in the category included Meridian Water Station, Chiswick Park Footbridge, Victoria Station and Heathrow’s Terminal Three’s flight connection centre.

Hackney Wick station is part of the TfL Overground network.