Aecom handed design role for HS2 Interchange

Aecom has been appointed to work up detailed designs for the HS2 Interchange Station in Solihull, the multidisciplinary firm has revealed.It will take forward concept designs created by Arup for the station, one of four that will be delivered for the first phase of the new high-speed line linking London with Birmingham. Solihull Council approved those plans in August 2020.Construction giant Laing O’Rourke was awarded the £370m design-and-build contract for the station in July. It will be built near the National Exhibition Centre complex and Birmingham International Airport.Building Design understands that Aecom was part of Laing O’Rourke’s team for its successful bid – which saw it beat Skanska and a Sir Robert McAlpine grouping called Unity – but was unable to mention its role until this week.Richard Whitehead, Aecom’s Europe managing director for buildings and places said the new station would make a “hugely positive contribution” to improving connectivity and bringing economic growth to the West Midlands, as well as driving increased use of public transport.“A focus for our team will be to reduce embodied and operational carbon through our designs, ensuring a deliverable scheme that achieves its preliminary BREEAM ‘outstanding’ certification,” he said.HS2 said the new station could support the delivery of up to 3,000 new homes in the area and up to 70,000sq m of new commercial space.The station will be built on a 150ha triangular site bounded by the M42, A45 and A452. Detailed design work is due to start next year.Interchange Station is due for completion in 2027. HS2 services are currently expected to commence between 2029 and 2033.