The opening of the Elizabeth line is the start of a new chapter in transport history. But how do you create contemporary ticket halls and platforms to complement the original and historic stations of London?

The answer is in metal.

Located many storeys below the renowned cast iron columns and arches of Brunel’s Paddington and the girder canopy in Liverpool Street mainline station by Edward Wilson, Crossrail contractor teams have used SAS International metal products to give shape again to the new stations of the Elizabeth line.

Adjacent to Paddington mainline station built in 1874, the new Elizabeth line Paddington concourses and platform feature architectural bronze acoustic wall panelling, column cladding, and sound absorbing SAS600 rafts installed by SAS International. Also, in the Weston Williamson + Partners designed station, SAS wall-mounted vertical steel fins on Departures Road compliment the heritage cast iron railings on the pavement above.

Two stops along the Elizabeth line, we come to Hawkins\Brown’s new vision of Tottenham Court Road. Described by the Crossrail team as “dark and cinematic, reflecting the nocturnal economies that characterise the area”. The use of acoustic stainless-steel and white SAS ceilings provides a raw contrast against the red and black wall glazing in this futuristic aesthetic.

Further along the line, at the Wilkinson Eyre designed Liverpool Street Station, the story takes a new turn. SAS International acoustic metal products adorn the busy Elizabeth line ticket hall providing Class A sound absorption. Using pale grey SAS740 linear profiles and the natural light reflectance of the stainless-steel beam cladding, the colour palette of Liverpool Street is much brighter and calmer than the other stations. A perfect contrast to the 1800s wrought iron used in the original Network Rail platforms located over 30 metres above.

At Whitechapel Elizabeth line station, metal plays an integral role in the growing theme of climate resiliency. With a completely open-air ticket hall, the versatile metal interior is designed to withstand all elements of our changing climate throughout the year. BDP designed an awe-inspiring canopy of aluminium anodised SAS750 tubular ceilings in four bronze shades. A differing take on the bronze theme, this ambitious curved ‘spine’ leads commuters from the Victorian brick arches of the original entrance, up, over, and down, to the Elizabeth line platforms.

From Paddington’s first opening on 29th May 1854 through to today, metal has shaped the form and function of our London railways and stations. SAS are extremely proud to be part of the Crossrail project as well as a contributor to a story spanning nearly 170 years of Great British infrastructure design.

Crossrail Limited has today (Wednesday 11 May) revealed new images of the stations in central and southeast London that will form part of Transport for London’s new Elizabeth line from December 2018.

The images of the new stations provide a glimpse of the common features passengers will see at platform level, as well as the bespoke design of the ticket halls and surface areas which will reflect the character of their local areas. The new stations, all of which will be step-free from train to street, will open in 2018. They will be fully integrated with TfL’s existing transport network, transforming travel across London and offering passengers seamless journeys.

The new designs are on display in a new free exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) alongside architectural components destined for the stations. The ‘Platform for Design’ exhibition will give an insight into the design of the new railway, its stations and public spaces.

Andrew Wolstenholme, Chief Executive, Crossrail Limited, said: “World class design is at the heart of Crossrail and as the project approaches 75 per cent complete, these fantastic new images show passengers what they will experience when the Elizabeth line opens in 2018.”

Mike Brown MVO, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “The TfL-run Elizabeth line will transform travel across London, reducing journey times, relieving congestion on the Tube network, and radically improving step-free access with brand new accessible stations. This exhibition will enable customers to really start to see what their new stations will look like when they open in 2018, giving a real insight into the huge transport improvements to come.”

Julian Robinson, Head of Architecture, Crossrail Limited, said: “The Crossrail project has worked with world-leading architects and designers to deliver a new railway that draws upon the fantastic transport architectural heritage of London and London Underground with each station reflecting the distinct character of the surrounding area and presenting a common line identity.”

Each of the new stations will have its own, distinct character, conceived by different architects and each will reflect the environment and heritage of the local area. For example, the new Elizabeth line station at Paddington will echo the design legacy of Brunel’s existing terminus building, while the new Farringdon station will take inspiration from the historic local trades of blacksmiths and goldsmiths, as well as the distinctive architecture of the Barbican.

At platform level, common design components such as seating, signage and full-height platform screen doors will create a consistent and familiar feel to the rest of the TfL network. This common architecture will accentuate the curved, sweeping passageways created during the construction of the tunnels. The design approach aims for simplicity and clarity by reducing visual clutter as far as possible to provide clear lines of sight along the platforms. The TfL-run stations, the surrounding public realm and the oversite developments have all been designed at the same time. This integrated approach ensures coherent designs that knit the new stations into their surroundings. Permanent works of art will also be installed into many of the new central London stations. Each new artwork will be fully integrated with the station, enhancing its design to create a line-wide exhibition.