Project Description
Lancashire County Council approached Seed Architects to act as lead consultants for a unique project: the creation of a new “Eco” Station. The station was envisioned as a gateway to the town of Accrington becoming an iconic symbol of ecologically and socially sustainable design for the region. Seed Architects was tasked with delivering a station that not only served its functional purpose but also demonstrated the potential of sustainable design in public infrastructure.
The project was developed as part of the Sustainable Stations (SusStations) Interreg IVB Project and earned the distinction of being the first eco-station on the Northern Rail network. The station’s design aimed to reduce its environmental impact and work toward a zero-carbon build. To achieve this, Seed Architects utilised a wide range of sustainable materials and technologies. Reclaimed local limestone and timber were used in the cladding, glulam beams were incorporated for structural integrity and glazing. Natural insulation and recycled metals were employed to reduce the carbon footprint of the build.
The design also incorporated renewable technologies to complement passive design solutions. These strategies aimed to reduce the station’s heating and cooling loads by carefully considering the building’s orientation and form. The combination of energy efficient materials and renewable technologies created a station that not only minimised its environmental impact but also showcased how sustainable principles can be integrated into large scale infrastructure projects.
When it was built, Accrington was a medium sized station with around 240,000 entries and exits per year. However, the station’s importance and usage have grown significantly since the eco-station was completed. In the last year alone, Accrington Station recorded 459,616 entries and exits, underscoring the project’s success and the station’s increasing role in the local community. This design went onto win several awards including the 2011 National Rail Innovation Awards Winner for Sustainability, 2011 Network Rail Partnership Awards Winner for Environmental Sustainability and the 2011 RICS North West Sustainability winner with a RICS National Commendation.