RIBA Regional Awards 2014: London
Blackfriars Station redevelopment
Pascal + Watson for Network Rail
GIA 14,000m2
Some have estimated the cost of this much-delayed, and technically hugely difficult, project at some £635m all in. It’s true that it is a uniquely ambitious engineering and building project – central to, but a financial drain on, the Thameslink programme. It is a very large station spanning the river bank to bank on an existing expanded railway bridge, plus a new interchange with the Underground. It provides great views without spoiling any from elsewhere, and its naturally ventilated sawtooth roof arrangement is also a mighty photovoltaic array. It is, no question, a wonder.