South east London station with 'outstanding architecture' wins award

A south east London station has won an award for being an “outstanding” piece of London architecture.

Abbey Wood station has won a 2024 RIBA award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

RIBA has been celebrating “outstanding work of the built environment” for over 180 years.

It claims that its awards and prizes are “regarded internationally as a mark of excellence”, recognising architecture, architects, research and students.

A spokesperson for RIBA said: “Successful projects reflect changes and innovations in architecture, but at their core display a commitment to designing and developing buildings and spaces for the improvement and enhancement of people’s lives.”

Abbey Wood station was awarded as a result of the hard work by Fereday Pollard Architects who have worked on the station all the way through.

RIBA has said the station stands out due to its “accessibility and legibility”.

The station has been recognised for “addressing urban design issues” such as creating a “generous civic plaza” and giving passengers a “seamless experience beneath the great sweep of its timber roof”.

Abbey Wood station serves the Elizabeth Line and national rail services, with a capacity for 20,000 people at peak hours.

The station has been running since 2008.

Contractor: Balfour Beatty Rail

Landscape Architect: Urban Movement

Project Management: WSP

Structural Engineer: TGP

Gross internal area in m²: 573

A spokesperson for RIBA said: “Abbey Wood Station provides a major interchange between national rail services and the terminus of one of the eastern branches of the Elizabeth Line, with capacity for 20,000 at peak hours.

“The station has been in planning since 2008.

“The project team at Fereday Pollard Architects, who have seen it through to completion, impressed the jury with their enthusiasm and knowledge of its operations.

“It stands out for its accessibility and legibility.

“Successfully addressing complex urban design issues, it creates a generous civic plaza and delivers a seamless experience for passengers beneath the great sweep of its timber roof.”

The RIBA awards have been celebrating architecture in the UK for 50 years.

Other pieces of architecture in south London given awards include:

67 Southwark Street

All Saints

Battersea Power Station Phase Two

London South Bank University Hub

Love Walk II

Peckham House

Rotherhithe Primary School

Royal Academy of Dance

Six Columns

Somerset Road Covered Courts: All England Lawn Tennis Club

Southwark House Renovation

St John’s Waterloo

Sunday Mills

Thames Christian School & Battersea Chapel

The Africa Centre

The Department Store Studios