The first design images have been revealed of Washwood Heath Depot, HS2’s maintenance facility and main control centre for the whole HS2 network, which will create over 550 jobs in the local area.
The site, north east of Birmingham city centre, is where HS2 trains will be maintained, serviced and stored when not in use, and includes the Maintenance Building, Network Integrated Control Centre (NICC) and Cleaners and Drivers Building. All the buildings have been designed to celebrate engineering and provide sustainable working, as well as outdoor amenity spaces for staff.
The design of the buildings provides for a high level of controlled, natural lighting and reduces the need for artificial lighting during the daytime. Solar roof panels, reusing rainwater runoff from some of the building roofs, sustainable drainage, renewable energy, low carbon materials and intelligent lighting provide additional environmental benefits during construction and operation.
Image of the National Integrated Control Centre in morning sunshine
Landscape design and green spaces play a key role, with each building having a specifically designed landscape theme, outdoor social spaces for staff, and areas which restore biodiversity and wider habitat connections.
Accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists has been incorporated into the design, with dedicated pedestrian and cyclist routes connecting with Birmingham’s future transport network. In addition to car parks, provision is included for electric vehicle charging points, cycle and motorcycle parking for staff and visitors, and parking for individuals with limited mobility at all depot facilities, alongside taxi and delivery vehicle drop off zones.
The designs have been produced by HS2’s Engineering Delivery Partnership (EDP).