In Select Company: Kalwall Featured In Project On RIBA Shortlist
West Croydon Bus Station Makes First Cut for Jury Review. The West Croydon Bus Station in London is not only a vital link to accommodate millions of people every year commuting to work from the South and South East into London, but it has become a key piece in transforming the town center into a more attractive environment to live, work, socialize and do business.
Designed by Transport for London’s in-house team of architects and predominantly featuring Kalwall translucent sandwich panels, the project was shortlisted by the Royal Institute of British Architects for a 2017 RIBA London Regional Award.
The West Croydon Bus Station was one of 85 buildings to make the cut from among 215 entries. The winning entry will be announced on Monday, May 22. Regional winners will be eligible for the RIBA National Award for architectural excellence.
RIBA Awards have been presented since 1966 and are open to buildings in the United Kingdom by RIBA chartered architect and international fellows. The RIBA London Region includes 12,000 members and 1,300 chartered practices.
“To be included on the shortlist for such a prestigious award is quite an honor in itself,” says Amelia Keller, principal of Kalwall.
In redeveloping the bus station, the architect team wanted to create an attractive, user-friendly waiting and assembly shelter, and provide a brighter more spacious environment. The project team at TfL determined that Kalwall offered many benefits over traditional glazing.
Kalwall’s lightweight properties factored into the design of the building, as well as its ability to eliminate shadows, hotspots and glare. Additionally, the translucent panels create an ethereal glow at night, making it a beacon for travelers.
Maintenance-wise, Kalwall is also a great choice. Soil and detritus are less obvious on Kalwall panels than on glass, and cleaning is much simpler because access scaffolding is not required and maintenance staff can safely walk across its surface.
