Grimshaw Architects

Newport Station

Newport Station
© Grimshaw

NEWPORT STATION

Grimshaw

ARCHITECTS
Grimshaw

CLIENT
Network Rail

AREA
1000.0 m2

YEAR
2010

LOCATION
Newport, Wales, England

CATEGORY
Train Station

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

Text description provided by architect.

Grimshaw, in association with Atkins, are redesigning Newport Station as part of a citywide regeneration masterplan by Newport Unlimited.

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

As Newport is the first city reached by passengers between England and Cardiff, the station is a highly visible structure.

Network Rail were keen that the new station should provide a striking civic building that would provide a gateway opportunity not only to Newport, but to Wales herself.

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

Newport is bisected by the railway tracks. As a result, each half of the city has developed its own character. Grimshaw’s design embraces this divide, creating two major new concourses. The North Concourse will be on the civic side of the city and focus on the needs of commuters.

The South Concourse, on the commercial side, will be for connecting travellers, daytrippers and tourists. Each terminal’s function is reflected in the distribution of ancillary facilities around the station.

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

Ticket facilities and platform access are split equally between the two terminals. All the main facilities at both terminals are housed in continuous ETFE and aluminium clad spirals.

The spiral form of the station mirrors the journey taken within and helps to ease traffic flow by guiding the passenger from ground level up to the connecting bridge and back down onto the platforms.

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

The use of an ETFE wrap over a steel structure not only creates a very bright and airy space but also, due to the lightness of the material, means the building requires a minimal support structure.This brightness of space is compounded by the inclusion of an oculus at the peak of each building, which doubles as a compression ring to secure the structure.

The old station had a single terminal at the end of elongated platforms and many passengers entering and exiting trains are faced with a long walk to and from the concourse.

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

There was also very little provision for disabled access across the tracks. Therefore, the terminals and their connecting bridge have been positioned relative to the trains stopping positions, easing access and offering stronger connections to the city. Pedestrian routes surrounding the station are also being upgraded.

For the main Newport Station terminals, the aim is to complete by 2010, when Newport will play host to the most prestigious event in golf, the Ryder Cup.

Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw

The upgraded station will provide for the influx of people the city expects for this event and become an icon of Newport’s ongoing regeneration.


Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw


Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw


Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw
Newport Station
© Grimshaw


Newport Station
Section 01
Newport Station
Section 02
Newport Station
Section 03
Newport Station
Concept 01


Newport Station
Concept 02
Newport Station
Concept 03
Newport Station
Structural Model
Newport Station
Site Plan


Newport Station
Ground Floor Plan
Newport Station
First Floor Plan
Newport Station
Bridge Level Plan

Grimshaw Architects
T +61 3 93212600
Grimshaw Architects
21 Bouverie St, Melbourne VIC 3053, Australia