Farrells' Olympic legacy - Beijing South is people's favourite

Beijing South Station – designed by international architecture practice Farrells – has topped the poll in a survey of the general public in Beijing, attracting almost 3.5 million votes. The Beijing Olympics attracted architects from around the world who designed some of the most remarkable buildings of the century so far. Beijing South Station beat off stiff competition from other landmark projects including the iconic “Bird’s Nest” Olympic Stadium by Herzog and de Meuron and the new Beijing International Airport terminal by Foster and Partners. This public accolade is the latest in a series of awards for the station, which recently won the prestigious 2009 RIBA International Award. Lord Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, recently visited Beijing South Station to see what lessons can be learned in the UK as plans develop for new investment in high speed rail (as announced by the Minister yesterday). He met the design team from Farrells’ Hong Kong office and, as well as visiting the station, he also used one of the new high-speed trains from Beijing to see how UK-led architectural talent is delivering world-class rail infrastructure in China. Beijing South opened on 1 August 2008. The station is a vast project built to accommodate the enormous number of people that use China’s rail system every day. Its spectacular sweeping roof, covering an area the size of 20 football pitches, floods the wide spaces beneath with natural light and lends the station an airport-like environment. 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 as well as a vital improvement to China’s infrastructure. Beijing South Station is one of two landmark stations at either end of the new high-speed rail link from Beijing to Guangzhou. In a coup for UK-led architecture, Farrells are also the designers of the new Guangzhou station, which opens later this year in time for the 2009 Asian Games. Together, these stations will be largest railway stations in Asia and bring rail travel in China into the 21st century. Sir Terry Farrell said: “I am delighted that Beijing South has won such support from ordinary members of the public in Beijing. I’m particularly proud that the project has been voted favourite among a remarkable field of projects by some of the world’s greatest architects. As a practice, we are establishing a great portfolio of major infrastructure projects. I hope they will all prove to be as successful as Beijing South. “The UK may be about to embark on much needed high-speed rail infrastructure investment. China has show what can be possible, and I hope the UK will similarly look to invest in good design.” Notes to Editors 1. Sir Terry Farrell CBE is an architect and urban designer with a global reputation and is considered to be Britain’s most successful architectural masterplanner with offices in London, Edinburgh and Hong Kong. In practice for over forty years, he has completed iconic, award-winning buildings and masterplans in cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul. In 2007 he was appointed by the Government as design champion for the Thames Gateway Parklands, and is currently working with the Homes and Communities Agency on a spatial vision for the Thames Gateway. 2. Farrells has now built 15 railway stations around the world in countries including China, Singapore, South Korea and South Africa. Their large-scale infrastructure projects include the transport interchange at Incheon Airport, Seoul, which was recently voted by passengers as the best airport in the world. 3. Beijing South Station was designed by Farrells Hong Kong office with the Third Railway Survey and Design Institute Group. 4. Farrells began its journey into the Asia-Pacific region after winning an international competition to design the new Peak Tower, setting up office in Hong Kong in 1991. Fast forward 17 years and not only has the architecture firm made its mark through the design and masterplanning of iconic buildings and railways related projects, it has also shaped towns and cities throughout China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, Australia, India and South Africa. 5. Farrells architecture is founded on innovative technical and conceptual thinking, a complete understanding of the history, context and aspirations of each project and the needs of those who use and enjoy the buildings. 6. Sir Terry is available for interview and images are available on request. If used, please credit the attached image to Zhou Rougu.