Winning 3rd place in this international invited competition to reimagine Birmingham New Street Station, the busiest railway station in the UK outside of London. With the station comprising a diverse collection of buildings constructed over the last century, the challenge was how to envelop this architectural amalgamation in a new façade without altering its fundament structure.

Taking a practical approach, we designed a folded aluminium skin of many colours. Each colour was strategically placed to offer a visually interesting experience for observers approaching the station from different angles. The different colours improved the legibility of the area, with visitors able to orientate themselves easily. As a focus, the two cones that celebrate the central atrium are in a mysterious green. The design not only respects the station’s historical character but also a kaleidoscope of colours, engaging people navigating the busy urban surroundings.