station hill

A mixed use development in the centre of Reading next to the train station, which includes an extended and improved entrance plaza, a green and playful pocket park, and a series of new public spaces and courtyards designed for a variety of different uses and activities.

Inspired by the location of Reading between the converging River Thames and River Kennet - and the similarity between the flow of water and of people walking -  the new paths, seating and planting have been sculpted as if by the movement of water.

Through subtle changes of level and a new pedestrian bridge over Garrard St, the project creates a new accessible route from the train station through to Friar Street to the south. Re-connecting the station to the south and west of the town centre, will improve the daily commute of thousands of people who travel to and from the station every day.

Working with the transport engineers a simulation of pedestrian and vehicle movement through and around the site was generated to test key routes and identify any potential issues as the design developed (see below).

Whilst working at LDA-Design / 2019 / Reading / client: Lincoln / size: 2.2ha / architects: RTKL + Gensler