Liverpool South Parkway Interchange by Jefferson Sheard Architects, United Kingdom

October 04, 2009 Category: Stations, Urban Design

The South Parkway Interchange was designed by Jefferson Sheard Architects is located in Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom. Liverpool South Parkway is already picking up awards and accolades for its design, use of innovative building techniques and its potential contribution to the regeneration of the Speke and Garston Pathway areas. Features include a roof using 2.3 tonnes of recycled aluminium; a system of rainwater harvesting which will save 700,000 litres of mains water per year; generation of electricity by photovoltaic cells plus a geo-thermal heating system which obtains up to 60% of the energy needed to heat the building from the ground beneath it.

Providing a seamless link between different modes of transport within a single building, projecting an iconic image which promotes use of the public transport network and informs the world that Liverpool leads the way in modern design and the creation of safe, efficient and attractive environments. The curvaceous form of the building evokes a sense of movement relating to the activity enclosed by and adjacent to the building. It curves in several planes creating complex and challenging shapes regulating the external mass of the interchange and achieving a more intimate, less intimidating scale to the interior. At night the interchange is a beacon of light attracting users and, illuminated by feature lighting integrated into the tree-like steel structure of the building. The indirect lighting uses suspended mirrors to give a softer feel and complement the large illuminated signage mounted on the main elevations.

The Interchange itself is an amalgam of Allerton and Garston stations combined with new passenger facilities plus provision for buses, taxis and car parking. The building has won the following awards: Community Award-ICE North West 80th Annual Awards (2007), Innovation Award- Network Rail Environment Awards 2006, National champion in the transport and freight category-Green Apple Awards 2004. The building’s sustainable features include: The use of waste blast furnace slag instead of cement, saving 310 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as compared to the production of ordinary cement.

Rainwater harvesting saving 700 000 litres of mains water per year and a roof using 2.3 tonnes of recycled aluminium. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood ensuring all timber products come from a responsibly managed forest. Solar photovoltaic cells on south facing windows providing some of the electricity and saving 1.5 tonnes of CO2 a year. Geo thermal heat pumps using 18 100-metre deep bore holes which, although more expensive to install, can save between 30 and 60 per cent on heating costs compared with conventional systems.

Liverpool South Parkway Interchange by Jefferson Sheard Architects in United Kingdom