The 89-year-old architect hailed the £19 billion, cross-capital underground rail link as a worthy winner which ‘sends out several important messages’.
Foster told the AJ that the choice shone a spotlight on ‘the importance of investing in city infrastructure – particularly public transport, the value of outstanding design with its power to improve the quality of urban living, and the continuing political need for enlightened patronage and decision making’.
He added: ‘This distinguished body of work is a tribute to the many who have been involved from its conception to completion – civic leaders, architects, engineers and builders.’
The Elizabeth Line, spanning 26 miles of tunnels across London, was designed by a range of architects to line-wide designs by Grimshaw, working alongside engineer AtkinsRéalis, wayfinding expert Maynard and lighting designer Equation.
It was named winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize at a ceremony on Wednesday night (16 October).
Foster + Partners won the Stirling Prize in 2018, for its £1 billion headquarters for Bloomberg in London, in 2004 for 30 St Mary Axe, aka the Gherkin, and in 1998 for its American Air Museum in Duxford.
The company, founded by Foster in 1967, is the only practice to have won the prestigious award three times.
The rail route was a popular contender for the Stirling, with 40 per cent of AJ readers favouring the mammoth project, but the choice was not without its critics.
Robert Adam, director of Robert Adam Architectural Consultancy, described the project as ‘a perfection of efficiency and banality’, telling the AJ it is a ‘masterpiece of coordination and uniformity … but, in the end, dull and forgettable’.
Assorted Skills + Talents founder Chris Boyce, said: ‘There is no denying the excellence of the Elizabeth line but I wish that this was considered normal for a UK infrastructure project.’
Judge Alex Ely, director of last year’s Stirling Prize-winning practice Mae Architects, told the AJ it was ‘an honour’ to award this year’s prize to ‘such a significant piece of public architecture’.
He added: ‘The Elizabeth Line team have created an environment that prioritises the quality of passenger experience.
‘The spaces offer a humane and uplifting environment through the careful consideration of movement, lighting, acoustics, and legibility combined with dramatic spaces and beautifully detailed construction, integrating the best of architecture, engineering and wayfinding.
‘Creating a network that people want to use will lead to a modal shift in transport use and drive significant social value for London.’
Source:Nigel Young
Bloomberg HQ by Foster + Partners