Crossrail station designs
(Paddington Station)
On 11 May 2016, Crossrail Limited revealed new images of the proposed stations in central and southeast London that will form part of Transport for London (TfL)’s new Elizabeth line from December 2018.
The images of the new stations provide a glimpse of the common features passengers will see at platform level, as well as the bespoke design of the ticket halls and surfacs which will reflect the character of their local areas.
(Tottenham Court Road station)
The new stations, all of which will be step-free from train to street, will open in 2018. They will be fully integrated with TfL’s existing transport network, transforming travel across London and offering passengers seamless journeys.
(Woolwich station)
Each of the new stations will have its own, distinct character, conceived by different architects, each reflecting the environment and heritage of the local area. For example, the new Elizabeth line station at Paddington will echo the design legacy of Brunel’s existing terminus building, while the new Farringdon station will take inspiration from the historic local trades of blacksmiths and goldsmiths, as well as the distinctive architecture of the Barbican.
At platform level, common design components such as seating, signage and full-height platform screen doors will create a consistent and familiar feel to the rest of the TfL network. This common architecture will accentuate the curved, sweeping passageways created during the construction of the tunnels. The design approach aims for simplicity and clarity by reducing visual clutter as far as possible to provide clear lines of sight along the platforms.
The TfL-run stations, the surrounding public realm and the oversite developments have all been designed at the same time. This integrated approach is intended to ensure a coherent design that knits the new stations into their surroundings.
(Farringdon station)
Permanent works of art will also be installed into many of the new central London stations. Each new artwork will be fully integrated with the station, enhancing its design to create a line-wide exhibition.
Mike Brown MVO, London's Transport Commissioner, said:
“The TfL-run Elizabeth line will transform travel across London, reducing journey times, relieving congestion on the Tube network, and radically improving step-free access with brand new accessible stations. This exhibition will enable customers to really start to see what their new stations will look like when they open in 2018, giving a real insight into the huge transport improvements to come.”
Julian Robinson, Head of Architecture, Crossrail Limited, said:
“The Crossrail project has worked with world-leading architects and designers to deliver a new railway that draws upon the fantastic transport architectural heritage of London and London Underground with each station reflecting the distinct character of the surrounding area and presenting a common line identity.”
Images and content courtesy of Crossrail.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.



























