The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has named the Elizabeth Line – London’s new transport network – designed by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRéalis as the winner of the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize. Presented since 1996, the prestigious annual award recognises the UK’s best new architecture.
Named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, the Elizabeth Line runs from Reading and Heathrow to Essex and South East London. Accommodating 700,000 passengers every weekday and spanning 62 miles of track and 26 miles of tunnels, it is an extraordinarily complex architectural feat masked by an elegant simplicity.
The construction of the Elizabeth Line was a monumental achievement. The network navigates through centuries of untouched history buried deep beneath London, while carefully avoiding both new and ancient underground footings and sewage systems. The excavation project became part of Britain’s largest-ever archaeological dig, uncovering a wealth of historical artefacts – from a Tudor bowling ball to 55-million-year-old woolly mammoth remains. Six million tonnes of earth were excavated to create room for the network’s tunnels, which was repurposed to create a nature reserve in Essex.
In contrast to much of the old network, the Elizabeth Line provides a quietly calm environment. Its scheme-defining muted palette of perforated cladding, sensitive lighting and coherent wayfinding systems create an intuitive, frictionless experience.
Curvaceous, fluid lines converge and diverge, carefully guiding passengers to flow around corners, down cavernous vaulted tunnels and onto wide, open platforms. The lighting subtly shifts between warmer and cooler tones to highlight different levels and junctures, with a warm, softly-diffused band of indirect lighting spanning the platforms above the train doors and direct, cool lighting in smaller cross-passages.
The expansive tunnels and uncluttered double-length platforms – designed to accommodate full-size trains – feel generously spacious, while major features such as seating and freestanding ‘totem’ concourse signage made from screen-printed toughened glass are repeated from station-to station. The family of finishes give the whole network coherence, helping passengers to navigate the network with confidence.
The network is an exemplar of inclusive design, not only through the application of step-free access throughout, but through sensitive considerations to each sensory experience. Interventions such as hiding acoustic mats behind cladding to absorb excess noise, removing unnecessary fixtures and fittings and employing a restrained colour palette help to create a sense of calm for those who find underground travel overwhelming.
Environmental considerations help to future-proof the network and range from passive cooling at platform level to reduce the need for mechanical heating, to escalator motion sensors that minimise energy waste. Space has also been created for further air conditioning and temperature control, enabling the network to evolve with the challenges of climate change.
The Elizabeth Line is the result of a remarkable collaboration between architects, engineers and designers. Together, Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRéalis have designed a highly-inclusive, cohesive transport system that has already evidenced its social, environmental and economic value. By expanding capacity, reducing congestion, supporting Capital-wide regeneration, and creating employment opportunities – the Elizabeth Line continues to contribute to the city’s long-term growth.
The winning scheme comprises platform architecture, passenger tunnels, escalators, station concourses, signage, furniture, fittings, finishes and supporting technology. The 10 new stations have each been designed separately.
Speaking on behalf of the RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President and Jury Chair, said:
“The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport.
It’s an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity – through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease.
Descending into the colossal network of tunnels feels like entering a portal to the future, where the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience.
This is architecture of the digital age – a vast scheme that utilises cutting-edge technology to create distinctive spatial characteristics and experiences .
It rewrites the rules of accessible public transport, and sets a bold new standard for civic infrastructure, opening up the network and by extension, London, to everyone.”
Neill McClements, Partner, Grimshaw, on behalf of the line wide design team including Grimshaw, Atkins Realis, Equation and Maynard, said:
“The Elizabeth Line is a piece of infrastructure that has been transformative, not only for London’s transport network but also for many people’s lives, highlighting the role design plays in elevating our every day.
It is also a recognition of the challenges that our profession faces today – the responsibility we have to rapidly respond to the climate emergency, decarbonise our cities and prioritise social and economic equity.
We know this is only achievable through collaboration and the Stirling Prize recognises all of the design and construction teams that have come together to make the project the success that it is.”
The 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize Jury was chaired by Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President, with: Alex Ely, Founder Director of Mæ, winner of the 2023 RIBA Stirling Prize; Mary Duggan, Director of Mary Duggan Architects; Yana Peel, Global Head of Arts & Culture at Chanel (Lay Assessor); Minna Sunikka-Blank, Professor of Architecture and Environmental Policy at Cambridge University (Sustainability Consultant) and David Light, EMEA ECS Consulting Director at Autodesk, sponsor of the 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize;
The winner was announced at a ceremony on 16 October at London’s Roundhouse.
The ceremony also included the announcement of four RIBA Special Award-winning schemes:
- Croft 3 in the Isle of Mull by fardaa, winner of the 2024 RIBA Reinvention Award
- Wraxall Yard in Dorset by Clementie Blakemore Architects, winner of the 2024 Stephen Lawrence Prize
- Chowdhury Walk in Hackney by Al-Jawad Pike, winner of the 2024 Neave Brown Award for Housing
- Shakespeare North Trust and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, winner of the 2024 Client of the Year Award for Shakespeare North in Prescot by Helm Architecture
The 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize is sponsored by Autodesk.
Amy Bunszel, EVP of architecture, engineering, and construction solutions at Autodesk said:
“The projects recognised in the Stirling Prize never cease to amaze us and we’re thrilled to be supporting the award as the well-deserved winner is announced. Being able to celebrate the innovation and creativity that goes into the work of these firms is a great way to inspire the architects and projects of the future.”
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: Max.Heptonstall@riba.org
- Images can be downloaded here
- First awarded in 1996, the RIBA Stirling Prize is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award. Given to the architect of the project thought to be the most significant of the year for the evolution of architecture and the built environment, the RIBA Stirling Prize is judged on a range of criteria including design vision, innovation and originality, capacity to stimulate engage and delight occupants and visitors, accessibility and sustainability, how fit the building is for its purpose and the level of client satisfaction.
- The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2024 was:
- Chowdhury Walk, London by Al-Jawad Pike
- The Elizabeth Line, London Underground by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation and AtkinsRéalis
- King’s Cross Masterplan, London by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates
- National Portrait Gallery, London by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell
- Park Hill Phase 2, Sheffield by Mikhail Riches
- Wraxall Yard, Dorset by Clementine Blakemore Architects
- Previous winners of the RIBA Stirling Prize include: The John Morden Center by Mæ (2023); The New Library, Magdalene College in Cambridge by Níall McLaughlin Architects (2022); Kingston University London - Town House by Grafton Architects (2021); Goldsmith Street by Mikhail Riches (2019); Bloomberg by Foster + Partners (2018); Hastings Pier by dRMM (2017); Newport Street Gallery by Caruso St John (2016); Burntwood School, London by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM) (2015); Liverpool Everyman Theatre by Haworth Tompkins (2014); Astley Castle by Witherford Watson Mann (2013).
- Grimshaw was previously shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2019 for London Bridge Station, London.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
- The 2024 RIBA Stirling Prize is supported by our headline sponsor Autodesk. Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Its technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media and entertainment, empowering innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to mesmerising blockbusters, Autodesk software helps customers to design and make a better world for all. Visit www.autodesk.co.uk.
