GALLERY | Preston bus station revamp revealed

The refurbishment of Preston’s Brutalist bus station designed by architect John Puttick Associates has been revealed.

The grade two-listed bus station, originally designed by architect BDP and completed in 1969, was saved from risk of demolition in 2013 after a campaign successfully succeeded in getting it listed.

In order to reinstate the “powerful” original design, John Puttick Associates pared down the interior and returned features to their original material and colour. Overall existing elements have been restored, many of which were in good condition but had been compromised due to visual clutter within the building.

According to John Puttick Associates, 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”.

The station was set to be demolished when the space was included in the £700m Tithebarn regeneration scheme, which was shelved in 2011. The station itself was given protected status in 2013.

The refurbishment has also given a change of emphasis from prioritising vehicle access, as was done in the 1960s, to a more contemporary arrangement which favours pedestrians.

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.

All the timber panel work in the building has been returned to dark grey.

Conlon was the contractor.

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