On 9 March HS2 unveiled a new design concept for its terminus at Euston. The design features a central opening in the roof to allow daylight to reach the below-ground level station. ‘We’ll be creating a grand station hall, comprising a 300-metre-long top-lit space, twice the footprint of St Paul’s Cathedral and 20% larger than Trafalgar Square’ Declan McCafferty, Partner at the Grimshaw architectural practice that is responsible for the HS2 station, told the press conference launching the design.
The sub-surface design on the western side of Euston station gives the opportunity to integrate the Euston tube station (Northern and Victoria Lines) with Euston Square on the Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle Lines, with walking passages between the two stations in the ‘paid’ area behind the ticket barriers.
The concept design illustrates how the station will integrate with the local area. ‘The scale of the new HS2 London Euston station means we have the opportunity to create a new truly public civic space for London’ said Mr McCafferty, adding that HS2 would be ‘creating a space that is permeable, accessible and open and connects to the local streets and neighbourhoods through green, pedestrian-oriented spaces’.
