The Elizabeth Line – London’s new transport network – designed by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRéalis has been named as the winner of the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize.
The Elizabeth Line is the result of a remarkable collaboration between architects, engineers and designers.
Together, Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRéalis have designed a highly-inclusive, cohesive transport system that has already evidenced its social, environmental and economic value.
By expanding capacity, reducing congestion, supporting Capital-wide regeneration, and creating employment opportunities – the Elizabeth Line continues to contribute to the city’s long-term growth.
The winning scheme comprises platform architecture, passenger tunnels, escalators, station concourses, signage, furniture, fittings, finishes and supporting technology. The 10 new stations have each been designed separately.
Speaking on behalf of the RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President and Jury Chair, said: “The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport."
“It’s an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity – through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease.”
Neill McClements, Partner, Grimshaw, on behalf of the line wide design team including Grimshaw, Atkins Realis, Equation and Maynard, said: “The Elizabeth Line is a piece of infrastructure that has been transformative, not only for London’s transport network but also for many people’s lives, highlighting the role design plays in elevating our every day.
“It is also a recognition of the challenges that our profession faces today – the responsibility we have to rapidly respond to the climate emergency, decarbonise our cities and prioritise social and economic equity. We know this is only achievable through collaboration and the Stirling Prize recognises all of the design and construction teams that have come together to make the project the success that it is.”
The Stirling Prize is sponsored by Autodesk. Shortlisted projects for 2024 were: Chowdhury Walk by Al-Jawad Pike; the King's Cross Masterplan by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates; National Portrait Gallery by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell; Park Hill Phase 2 by Mikhail Riches; and Wraxall Yard by Clementine Blakemore Architects.
Declan O’Carroll, UK Architecture Leader AtkinsRéalis, said: “It is a huge honour to win the RIBA Stirling Prize, which is recognised globally as the pre-eminent award for design, for our part in the design and delivery of the Elizabeth Line.
“The Elizabeth Line represents a real step-change in the way London Underground stations have been evolved and sets a new exemplary 21st century standard. The entire interconnecting experience of the public has generous spaces and civic proportions, where it feels intuitive to move around for the passengers, and their experience has been prioritised.
“We are delighted to be recognised along with our collaborative partners Grimshaw, Maynard and Equation on this major infrastructure and architecture project, which is responsible for transforming millions of lives in London and surrounding areas.
“Projects such as this require a diverse range of skills and a collaborative partnership of creative talents to be brought together, and this has been an exemplary demonstration of that approach, creating a blueprint for future major infrastructure projects like this.”
