London Has A New Brutalist Station

M@
By M@ Last edited 70 months ago

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

London Has A New Brutalist Station

Join us to chat about all things related to London transport on our new Facebook group, Londonist Roundel Ramblings — everyone welcome.

Fans of raw concrete, Corten steel and neo-brutalism should get on down to Hackney Wick station.

The Overground stop, one west of Stratford, has never yet troubled a compilation of London's most beautiful stations. Its former incarnation was little more than a platform and steps. Now, look at this.

The deep, rusty orange and creamy concrete work beautifully together, and with the Overground roundel.

As with all the best stations, Hackney Wick references the area's past. You may have noticed the hexagonal planters two photos up — these are surely a reference to celluloid. The world's first plastic was produced nearby and marketed as Parkesine. This heritage is more obviously displayed on the wall connecting the platforms — and the plastic window opposite.

This being Hackney Wick, something unusual is always bound to happen. As we were waiting on the westbound platform, a train load of cars piled through — a reminder of the area's industrial heritage in the face of all this redevelopment.

Ian Visits also paid a visit to the new-look station.

Last Updated 29 May 2018