SCALA Civic Building of the Year Competition, 2006

Major project category: Joint winner

Norfolk County Council
Norwich Bus Station

The new Bus Station is part of a larger transportation project and regeneration area that includes a hotel, offices and housing. The project sponsors required the Bus Station to promote the use of public transport and to be a ‘Gateway’ development creating a twenty-first century image for Norwich.

A freestanding canopy of steel, aluminium and fabric covers the public concourse, the travel centre, and the bus access passenger islands. At a lower level, rain and wind protection is also provided by glass enclosures to ensure the passengers are kept comfortable and safe.

The canopy is supported on the minimum possible number of columns with large clear and cantilever spans. The overall form of the canopy reflects the shape of the travel centre plan. It is in two sections linked by a fabric tent that promotes good natural ventilation and allows diffused daylight to flood the concourse. A central lantern with a fabric cover emphasises the entrance to the travel centre.

As you approach the bus station, the overall affect of the canopy is that of a ‘leaf’ suspended in mid air. From above the canopy has a very modern image but also fits well within the grain of the city.

A Department of Transport Grant and Norfolk County Council funded the project construction cost of £5.3 million.

Architect:

NPS Property Consultants Ltd, Michael Spicer

Quantity Surveyor:

NPS Property Consultants Ltd, Paul Eglington

Mechanical Engineer:

NPS Property Consultants Ltd, David Buxton

Electrical Engineer:

NPS Property Consultants Ltd, Malcolm Graver

Structural Engineer:

Richard Jackson Plc, Brian Butcher

Main Contractor:

Bluestone Plc, Martin Worrall, John East