During early development of the railways, infrastructure was often excluded from architectural discourse, dismissed as instruments of “material progress, speed and accelerated exchange”, as John Ruskin wrote. However, transport and station design has evolved over the past 200 years into a discipline which integrates engineering and architecture and, at its best, can elevate the everyday commuting experience and lift the soul.

The Elizabeth Line’s 2024 Stirling Prize win marks this change in recognising transport as equally valid for recognition where architecture and engineering align. It has helped to change perceptions of what transport architecture can do, raising the bar for future projects to be more than generic and bland spaces, infusing drama, excitement and identity as these projects continue to drive growth and renewal.

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