HS2 Euston’s first project gets approval

Camden Borough Council have given approval to the designs of the first major structure to be constructed at London Euston as part of HS2 on Friday 9^th August 2019, with said structure being a vent shaft and substation on Stephenson Way on the old site of Wolfson House.

The new eye-catching design was formulated by the architecture company, Weston Williamson + Partners, alongside fellow company, Williamson Matthews Associates, and consists of a four-storey cube that will contain a substation and electrical equipment in addition to a ventilation shaft for the Northern line.

What makes the design so eye-catching, however, is the fact that it will be covered in a pattern of perforated tiles which will allow air into the building while variegating the façade. Furthermore the 13,000 glazed, terracotta tiles that will cover the building, also known as faience tiles, will be ivory-white in colour, hence the designers have bestowed the building with the nickname, ‘the sugar cube’.

The HS2 Euston Programme Director, Rob Carr added: “The new vent shaft and substation will be one of the first things we build and it’s important we get it right. I’m pleased that Camden has given us the green light and I hope this intriguing, functional and contemporary design will be welcomed by all those who live, work and travel through Euston”

Inspiration for the unique design was taken from historic tube stations such as that of Great Portland Street, while the white tiles themselves are also in use at other tube stations including the likes of South Kensington, Covent Garden, and the former Euston Tube stations.

Weston Williamson + Partners Founding Partner, Chris Williamson stated: “The Euston vent shaft is an important and vital piece of urban infrastructure which facilitates a comfortable environment for all users.”

Demolition is currently underway at Wolfson House by a joint venture team consisting of employees from Costain and Skanska (CSjv), with assistance from John F Hunt subcontractors, in a bid to allow the construction to begin on HS2 operation in Euston.

It is predicted that HS2’s arrival in Euston will double the capacity of the station for the approximate 44M users of the train station per year and could likewise result in a 76% increase in seats from places such as Milton Keynes into London Euston during peak hours.

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