Creating an integrated transport facility above and below ground at London’s busiest station is an enormous challenge, and the engineers have risen to this by creating a truly elegant and world class solution.
The achievement of the new diagrid roof in the form of a dramatic half-dome structure is a testament to the skill of the structural engineers, who have managed to disguise the many technical challenges to make the structure appear to float effortlessly overhead.
"The judges were impressed by the way the structural engineers cleverly managed to deal with the missing shell action, because the roof is only half a dome, and still achieve a slender and elegant solution. In addition to creating a well-engineered and dramatic new space under the new diagrid roof, the engineers also had to deal with the redevelopment of the existing Western Range Building which was done with admirable restraint and respect for the existing structure."