Paddington Station Renovation Underway As Part of Massive Transportation Improvements in London

Residents and visitors in London can look forward to a vastly updated <a href="http://www.crossrail.co.uk/route/stations/paddington/#.UKlUZOOe9bo" target="_blank">Paddington Station,</a> which serves as the portal from Heathrow into the rest of the city. The renovation, which has been designed by <a href="http://www.westonwilliamson.com/" target="_blank">Weston Williamson</a>, is part of a much larger project to improve public transportation throughout the city and connect it with neighboring districts. Paddington Station is a Grade I listed site and the renovation required special approval to ensure the historic qualities of the project remain. The renovation will enhance passenger travel and connectivity and incorporate energy efficient design while adding a new <a href="http://www.crossrail.co.uk/" target="_blank">Crossrail station</a> and a new Underground station.

Paddington Station is located on the northwest side of London and serves as the terminal for the dedicated Heathrow Express airport service.

Originally constructed in the mid-1850's, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Paddington_station" target="_blank">Paddington</a> was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and is now undergoing the most significant redevelopment since the historic station was completed.

Local firm <a href="http://www.westonwilliamson.com/" target="_blank">Weston Williamson</a> is in charge of the renovation, which calls for a number of new sections to be constructed as well as retrofitting the older ones to accommodate increased ridership.

The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building#Categories_of_listed_building" target="_blank">Grade I</a> listed station is located on a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site and the design balances many issues like heritage, conservation, transport integration, way-finding, orientation, servicing and security.

The renovation will create a new great space that responds to Brunel’s original ‘great interior’.

A glass canopy floods the new ticket hall with natural light and it is open to fresh air.

New wayfinding measures enhance passenger travel and a new entrance to the station will link with the surroundings.

Connections to Heathrow airport will be improved to better address the needs of international travelers.

Energy efficient and sustainable design is at the key to the entire project, which will also minimize impact through the reuse of existing on site restructures.

Renovations are currently underway and are expected to be complete in 2015 and by 2018 the new <a href="http://www.crossrail.co.uk/" target="_blank">London Crossrail</a> line should be in operation.