Construction Update of Reading Station Area Redevelopment by Grimshaw Architects

Grimshaw is currently working on the Reading Station Area Redevelopment, one of the major interchanges of the south east, and one of the busiest stations outside London. In its current form, it is also the Great Western Main Line’s biggest constraint in terms of performance and capacity. The redevelopment addresses these challenges through the proposal of six new platform faces making interchanges at the station simpler, quicker and easier. The existing station facilities are being enhanced with two new entrances and by the addition of a new transfer bridge over the tracks, designed to accommodate a 100% uplift in passenger growth. The station redevelopment is considered an important catalyst for the regeneration of the Reading town centre.

Rendering of the proposed new Reading Station (Image: Grimshaw Architects)

Grimshaw’s design reduces the number and complexity of construction operations on the platforms and over the tracks, ensuring that the station could be built within an operational rail environment. The largest element of construction is the station transfer deck, a 30m wide 135m long bridge, built on the north side of the station and launched over the tracks. Grimshaw worked with specialist fabricators to develop a modular canopy system which uses prefinished, factory-assembled cassette panels, with bespoke curved sections to form the sinuous, canopy ribbons that shape the station environment. The design also incorporates a Grade 2 listed structure, and a public thoroughfare beneath the station.Go read more here

Project info :

Project : Reading Station
Location : Reading, UK
Client : Network Rail / Tata Steel
Size : 15,000 sq m

Tags: Grimshaw Grimshaw Architects Grimshaw firm London reading Reading Station Area Redevelopment Station UK

Ibrahim Abdelhady

Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.