Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2009 International Award

14 June 2009

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) 2009 International Award Beijing South Railway Station

Beijing South Station opened on 1 August 2008. The station is a large project that’s low-rise oval dome shaped roof was designed to cover all the platforms, to protect the station from the elements—cold winters and high summer temperatures—and to moderate the indoor climate. It is a pilot project for the MOR incorporating building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in their transportation network in China. Its spectacular sweeping roof with many skylights floods the wide spaces beneath with natural light. With a 300 metre-long concourse, the station has been designed for an annual passenger turnover of 105 million by the year 2030, with a peak-hour flow of over 30,000 passengers. Outside, the station makes a generous contribution to the public realm and significantly enhances the neighbourhood character of the surrounding area. Its unique, contemporary form has given the city a dynamic new landmark and a beacon in China’s new high-speed rail infrastructure.

KWP were part of the project from an early stage creating the rendering images used for the presentations by the architects, TFP Farrells. As the design progressed, KWP joined the team as the Façade Consultant for the entire building. The large curving roof span with integrated skylights and photovoltaic’s posed a detailing challenge but was successfully achieved to meet the functional purpose and appearance of lightness despite the large scale.

Read more: http://www.architecture.com/Awards/RIBAInternationalAwards/2009/Winners2009.aspx