FOA
2008-09-22
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Foreign Office's design for Birmingham New Street unveiled (images)
18 September, 2008
The first images of Foreign Office Architects’ competition-winning designs for Birmingham’s New Street Station have been unveiled.
As BD predicted last month, FOA were selected ahead of five other firms shortlisted through an RIBA competition to bring “magic and excitement” to the £600 million overhaul of the outdated 1960s station.
The ‘Birmingham Gateway’ designs - also worked on by structural engineer Adams Kara Taylor - show the station covered in reflective metallic sheets with three large digital displays to mark the station's main entry points and a huge atrium intended to "flood the station with light".
Council leader Mike Whitby said: "The Birmingham Gateway, which will support over 52 million passengers a year, demands a world-class architectural vision to embody the rebirth of New Street station.
"With the world looking on, this breathtaking design firmly places Birmingham on the international map for very high quality, daring design."
He added that the scheme would "enhance our reputation as a truly world-class city".
Land acquisition for the Birmingham Gateway project has started and construction on the first phase is expected to finish by 2011.
The second phase will be completed by 2014.