Preston Bus Station renovation, winner of 2021 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize
25/11/2021.
[Preston] UK
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
metalocus, CARLOS GONZÁLEZ
World Monuments Fund (WMF) and Knoll announced that Preston Bus Station, a British brutalist building, is the winner of the 2021 WMF/Knoll Modernism Prize.
John Puttick Associates was awarded the 2021 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize, recognizing its thoughtful and detailed conservation of Preston Bus Station, located in Preston, UK, a civic monument of central importance that serves as a hub for mass transit.
John Puttick Associates was awarded the 2021 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize, recognizing its thoughtful and detailed conservation of Preston Bus Station, located in Preston, UK, a civic monument of central importance that serves as a hub for mass transit.
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Photograph by Gareth Gardner. Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Site plan. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Ground floor plan. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Diagram. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Outside elevation detail - west door. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Inside elevation detail - west door. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Section detail. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Section. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Sketch. Preston Bus Station by Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Courtesy of John Puttick Associates
Preston Bus Station was designed in 1968 by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP)
Preston Bus Station was designed in 1968 by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP)
Preston Bus Station was designed in 1968 by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP)
Preston Bus Station, restored by John Puttick Associates, was designed in 1968 by Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP) and the engineering firm Ove Arup. The station was designed to be the hub and municipal transit center for Central Lancashire New Town. When it opened to the public in October 1969, it was Europe's largest bus station.
The prize will be presented at the AIA New York on December 14th.
The station is representative of brutalist architecture and transport planning of the post-war era in its use of exposed reinforced concrete structure, which houses an integrated car parking, bus, and taxi facility. In 2012, Preston Bus Station was included on the World Monuments Watch as a response to the threat of demolition and to raise awareness about the significance of brutalist architecture in the UK. In 2015, after years of neglect, a design competition was held by the building's new owners, Lancashire County Council, leading to the appointment of John Puttick Associates to restore the station.
The building's design exhibits a clarity of expression both inside and outside: the generous scale of the interior spaces is accompanied by a reflection of the building functions on the exterior façades; structural elements are exposed; and distinctive functional elements are integrated into the building, such as the curve of the car park balconies that prevent cars from hitting the wall.
“Preston Bus Station is the largest project honored by the World Monuments Fund/Knoll Prize and the first at the scale of regional infrastructure. The complex’s respectful restoration represents not only appreciation of the modernist commitment to creating dignified monuments for basic civic functions, but the twenty-first century’s need to adopt sustainable rehabilitation of inherited structures. It is at once an achievement for Lancashire and an exemplar for other cities.”
Barry Bergdoll, jury chair of the 2021 World Monuments Fund/Knoll Modernism Prize.
In 2012, Preston Bus Station was included in the World Monuments Watch as a response to the threat of demolition and to raise awareness about the significance of brutalist architecture in the UK. In 2015, after years of neglect, a design competition was held by the building's new owners, Lancashire County Council, leading to the appointment of John Puttick Associates to restore the station. Updating key infrastructure, while honoring the form, materials, and design intent of the original building was key to the restoration. The careful approach resulted not only in the meticulous restoration of the site, but also in renewing the expression of civic pride that the Preston Bus Station represented in its early days.
The rigorous intervention included the improvement of connectivity between the station and the rest of the city by prioritizing pedestrian accessibility and rearranging the waiting areas to face the new square. This was combined with a thorough restoration of the original materials, such as the rubber flooring and the color palette in the interior spaces, including the "spine" of services that run through the center of the building.
Project description by John Puttick Associates
John Puttick Associates has completed the refurbishment of Preston Bus Station, a celebrated Grade II listed Brutalist building designed by BDP and completed in 1969. In order to reinstate the powerful original design, John Puttick Associates has pared down the interior and returned features to their original material and colour palette. Overall existing elements have been carefully restored, many of which were in good condition but had been compromised due to visual clutter within the building.
The entry points to the Bus Station have been consolidated, and a main entrance hall established to give spatial coherence to the building improving sense of orientation and flow. There has also been a change of emphasis from prioritising vehicle access, as was done in the 1960s, to a more contemporary arrangement which favours pedestrian access.
From an urbanistic perspective, John Puttick Associates has arranged the building so that its West side with a new seating and waiting area faces the public square which when completed in 2019 will also improve a sense of connection with the city centre. The East side is devoted to the bus gates. At the core of the building are the information centre, cafe, shops and other facilities including the bus company offices.
John Puttick Associates has made the most of original materials and fittings wherever possible. The architects have designed Iroko benches from the bus gate dividers left over as part of the reorganisation of the space. The same timber has also been used at the information point reception desk, bringing tactile warmth to areas frequently touched. The original curved benches have been restored. The original clocks and rubber flooring by Pirelli are still in place.
New elements are in keeping with the spirit of the 1960s design. For example, the signage is designed in orange and black colours that reflect the ones first used at the station whilst also reintroducing the British Rail type face which was originally used throughout. Larger interventions - such as the new information and administrative area – have been detailed in the utilitarian spirit of the original building while clearly being of the present.
The exterior of the building has had some changes in addition to required maintenance works. These include replacing the concourse level glazing throughout by removing the original glass and its framing and replacing these with mullions of the same profile to maintain the original aesthetic. The timber framed doors on the ground floor facade have been replaced with bronze coloured anodised aluminium framed doors that are similar in tone to the wood that was used previously while allowing for automation.
John Puttick Associates worked closely with The Twentieth Century Society to determine the approach to the restoration of historically significant features of Preston Bus Station. The Station has remained in operation throughout the building works. Next year sees the completion of the adjacent new build 2600 square metre Youth Zone building also by John Puttick Associates.
More information
Architects
Keith Ingham and Charles Wilson of the Building Design Partnership (BDP). Renovation by.- John Puttick Associates.
Collaborators
In 1968.- Engineer E. H. Staziker. Structural Engineer.- Ove Arup and Partners.
In 2018, renovation. Transport Consultant.- AHR. Planning Consultant.-Cassidy & Ashton. Acoustic Consultant.- Charcoalblue. Main Contractor.- Conlon Construction, Engie. Structural Engineer.- Engineers HRW. M&E Consultant.- Skelly & Couch.
In 2018, renovation. Transport Consultant.- AHR. Planning Consultant.-Cassidy & Ashton. Acoustic Consultant.- Charcoalblue. Main Contractor.- Conlon Construction, Engie. Structural Engineer.- Engineers HRW. M&E Consultant.- Skelly & Couch.
Developer / Client
1968.- Preston Corporation. County Borough of Preston.
Area
31,250 m²
Dates
1968. 2018.
Location
22 Tithebarn St. Preston PR1 1YU, Lancashire, England, UK.
Manufacturers
2018. Hoppe, Forbo Flooring Systems, The Splash Lab, Thrislington Cubicles, Fermacell, MCI Interiors, Thomas.
Photography
John Puttick. John Puttick Associates
John Puttick Associates, architecture firm led by John Puttick, Charlotte Ireson and Martin Aberson supported by architects and assistants.
John Puttick, BA DipArch ARB RIBA. John is an architect and the founder and director of John Puttick Associates. He oversees all aspects of the practice’s work from conception to completion. John has a passion for design and puts a particular emphasis on collaboration with the client, stakeholders and consultant team, fostering an innovative and high-quality approach throughout the practice’s work. He has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, United States and China, designing and delivering significant civic, transport, commercial, residential and cultural projects across those regions. John studied architecture at the University of Nottingham and the Bartlett, University College London where he subsequently taught a Diploma Unit. A book of his drawings is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Charlotte Ireson is an architect and joined John Puttick Associates in 2015. She has experience of leading design teams at all stages of the design and construction process. Charlotte has considerable expertise in working with multi-faceted clients on complex projects and is skilled at coordinating with consultants and contractors. She enjoys bringing design ideas into reality through teamwork and collaboration, working to ensure the design team is well aligned. Charlotte studied architecture at the University of Nottingham. Her projects at John Puttick Associates include Legacy Youth Zone, Preston Bus Station, Watford Museum and the Mayflower Building refurbishment in New York City.
Martin Aberson is qualified as an architect in both the UK and EU and joined John Puttick Associates in 2017. He has a strong design focus, leading the practice's work in three-dimensional design and technology. This allows the team to quickly develop, test and review design options and later achieve close coordination with the consultant team. He has a passion for how buildings are made with first-hand knowledge of innovative manufacturing techniques. Martin studied architecture at the University of Greenwich. His projects at John Puttick Associates include North Watford Cemetery, Legacy Youth Zone, Watford Museum and a number of ecclesiastical projects.
John Puttick, BA DipArch ARB RIBA. John is an architect and the founder and director of John Puttick Associates. He oversees all aspects of the practice’s work from conception to completion. John has a passion for design and puts a particular emphasis on collaboration with the client, stakeholders and consultant team, fostering an innovative and high-quality approach throughout the practice’s work. He has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, United States and China, designing and delivering significant civic, transport, commercial, residential and cultural projects across those regions. John studied architecture at the University of Nottingham and the Bartlett, University College London where he subsequently taught a Diploma Unit. A book of his drawings is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Charlotte Ireson is an architect and joined John Puttick Associates in 2015. She has experience of leading design teams at all stages of the design and construction process. Charlotte has considerable expertise in working with multi-faceted clients on complex projects and is skilled at coordinating with consultants and contractors. She enjoys bringing design ideas into reality through teamwork and collaboration, working to ensure the design team is well aligned. Charlotte studied architecture at the University of Nottingham. Her projects at John Puttick Associates include Legacy Youth Zone, Preston Bus Station, Watford Museum and the Mayflower Building refurbishment in New York City.
Martin Aberson is qualified as an architect in both the UK and EU and joined John Puttick Associates in 2017. He has a strong design focus, leading the practice's work in three-dimensional design and technology. This allows the team to quickly develop, test and review design options and later achieve close coordination with the consultant team. He has a passion for how buildings are made with first-hand knowledge of innovative manufacturing techniques. Martin studied architecture at the University of Greenwich. His projects at John Puttick Associates include North Watford Cemetery, Legacy Youth Zone, Watford Museum and a number of ecclesiastical projects.
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