The Adelaide Road headhouse is one of five structures that will give emergency access and ventilation to the Euston tunnel which will be 4.5 miles in length, covering an area between Euston and Old Oak Common.
HS2 Ltd released information on initial design for the headhouse in 2018 and was led by community feedback to make alterations to the design.
The vent shaft and headhouse are vital parts to all railway tunnels. A vent shaft connects an underground tunnel to the surface and fresh air. The headhouse is a structure which sits over the vent shaft and contains fire control and ventilation facilities. The Adelaide Road headhouse is located on a Network Rail embankment between Chalk Farm Road and Primrose Hill Road.
The new design has been pushed further away from the road and will lessen the industrial appearance on the street and will appear to be a single storey structure from the Adelaide Road side. The building will actually be a double-storey structure but this will only be visible from the railway. A red or grey brick boundary wall is also currently under review as part of the final design. Local communities are being asked for their feedback on the design.
Materials proposed for use in the headhouse design have also been changed and now include a timber, metal, concrete and brickwork appearance. The structure will have a green roof, which will merge into the local landscape with tree planting and shrub species. Each of the headhouses for HS2 in the London area will feature similar materials and will be designed to fit and blend into their surroundings.
HS2 wants to invite the local community to give feedback on the revised proposed designs to refine elements such as the appearance of the boundary wall around the headhouse.
The updated plans for the headhouse are now on public display and local residents have been invited to look at information online and attend events to find out more about both the design and the construction of the vent shaft and headhouse.
HS2's Ltd main works contractor SCS JV have worked with Skanska Costain STRABAG on the planning and also with architects from Arup TYPSA STRABAG.
Online sessions will take place on Thursday the 9th of September and also Monday the 13th of September along with an in person meeting at Swiss Cottage Library which will take place on Wednesday the 15th of September.
Malcolm Codling, Project Client for HS2 Ltd, said: “It is important that our visible manifestations of the railway through London are in keeping with the local landscape and I am pleased that through our design and engagement process we have been able to adapt our design. I hope the design will be welcomed by the local community.”
Nia Griffiths, Head of Consents and Engagement at Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture, said: “This vital piece of infrastructure has been designed to complement the local surroundings, whilst performing an important function to support the safe operation of the new HS2 railway. We look forward to engaging with the local community and stakeholders on this final design and getting their feedback to determine the appearance of the boundary wall.”
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Quite like the design of it. But will the local people in the area like it or will it be a absolute eye saw.