ArchSociety

Canary Wharf
Underground Station
location: London, United
Kingdom
Use: Urban plaza, Station

The Jubilee Line extension is one of the greatest acts of architectural patronage of recent years, comprising eleven new stations by as many architects. the practice's station at Canary Wharf is by far the largest of these- when the development of the area is
complete, it will be used by more people at peak ties than Oxford Circus, currently London's busiest Underground destination. The station is built within the hollow of the former West Indian Dock using "cut-and-cover" construction techniques. At 300 meters in length, it is as Canary Wharf Tower is tall. The roof of the station is laid out as a
leafy landscaped park, creating Canary Wharf's principal public recreation space.

The only visible station elements are the swelling glass canopies that cover its three entrances. Glowing with light at nighttime, by day these structures draw daylight deep into the station concourse. By concentrating natural light dramatically at these points,
orientation is enhanced, minimizing the need for directional signage. Twenty banks of escalators transport passengers in and out of the station. administrative offices, kiosks and
other amenities are sited along the flanks of the ticket hall, which leaves the main concourse free, creating a sense of clarity and calm.

Due to the volume of station traffic, the guiding design principles were durability and ease of maintenance. The result is a simple palette of hardwearing materials: fair-faced
concrete, stainless steel and glass. This robust aesthetic is most pronounced at platform level where the concrete diaphragm tunnel walls are left exposed. The station introduces many security innovations: glazed lifts enhances passenger security and deter vandalism; access to the racks is blocked by platform-edge screens, which open in alignment with the doors of the trains. Servicing is also enhanced: cabling runs beneath platforms or behind walls, with access via maintenance gangways, allowing the station to be
maintained entirely from behind the scenes.

Images:


Exterior top view


Interior of canary wharf station


Interior of canary wharf station


The entry of canary wharf station


Cross section of canary wharf station (800x647, larger than it's being shown)


longitudinal section of canary wharf station (1500x287, larger than it's being shown)


longitudinal section2 of canary wharf station (1500x298, larger than it's being shown)


Column and roof connection detail(1500x287, larger than it's being shown)


plans(1500x287, larger than it's being shown)

Photography: Nigel Young (Foster & Pertners) + Dennis Gilbert [view])

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