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| Photo: Pascall+Watson |
When the DLR first opened in 1987 its stations were designed for automated trains only the length of a single articulated vehicle. Huge increases in passenger use over the years have necessitated the recent upgrade of stations to accommodate three-car trains. Design principles established in the resiting of South Quay station form the basis for the remodelling of a further 23 DLR stations.
Pascall+Watson, working with design and build contractor Vinci Construction, was commissioned in 2007 to provide initial, reference (AIP) and detailed design proposals for extensions to DLR stations – including Tower Gateway, Shadwell, Limehouse, Greenwich, West India Quay and South Quay stations. The proposed £200m project involved extensions to stations to provide for the longer trains, plus new rear platform screens, canopies, signage, services and CCTV. At South Quay and Tower Gateway stations more substantial works were required.
The existing South Quay station was also a Pascall+Watson design, dating from the mid-1990s. It had been damaged in the Docklands bombing in 1996 and subsequently reconstructed. Due to track bends at both entry to and exit from the station it could not, however, easily be extended. For that reason DLR decided to rebuild the station 100 metres east, alongside Marsh Wall and over a small body of water linking the Millwall Inner Dock and West India Docks, where more space was available.
South Quay station’s design concept was developed around a clear language of platform canopies with rear full-height platform screens, and simple integrated signage and passenger information. Lifts at each end of the platforms rise from a public open concourse below the raised tracks. Stairs and escalators serving the platforms are constructed around inclined columns. These give support to the back of platform structure and define the concourse space where tickets are purchased. Screens to the backs of platforms are constructed in simple repetitive steel support structures. They are infilled with rhythmically patterned clear and translucent glass panelling, opaque signage, and information and advertising boards.
Having agreed the design principles with DLR, Pascall+Watson then used them at other stations as far as was practical. Where stations already had a strong architectural theme, that theme continues to prevail. Other stations were developed along the same principles as South Quay station. Some extensions use precast and prefabricated platform elements; Pascall+ Watson worked closely with Vinci Construction’s supply chain.
At Tower Gateway a significant redevelopment was required. Two new side platforms and canopies have replaced the narrow island platform and the station has been extended to accommodate three-car trains. Pascall+ Watson has also produced an entrance redevelopment scheme for this station, yet to be submitted by DLR for planning approval.
Project team
Architect: Pascall+Watson Architects; structural engineer: Arup; services engineer: T Clarke; main contractor: Vinci Construction UK; client: DLR; photos: Pascall+Watson.
Selected subcontractors and suppliers
Bespoke curtain wall, platform level: McGrath; curtain wall, western concourse: Schueco; bespoke glass balustrades: McGrath; louvres: Sunray; roofing: Kingspan; seating: Zoeftig; escalator: Kone; elevators: Elite Elevators; floor movement joints: Vexcolt; epdm waterproofing: Hertalen; platform edge copers; pc platform slabs: Charcon; paving: Marshalls; building services: T Clarke; signage: Browse Bion; stair nosings: AATI; pc concrete stair treads: Ebor; structural steel & concrete sub-contractor: Rowecord.
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