Finalist proposals unveiled for the York National Railway Museum Central Hall competition

A two-stage competition was launched last October for the new National Railway Museum Central Hall that will be part of York Central, a 45-hectare redevelopment project in the UK that will also include business and residential neighborhoods. The new 4,500-square-meter Central Hall will bridge the space between the museum's Great Hall and Station Hall, and serve as a welcoming entrance hall to the site.  Currently budgeted at £16.5 million (approx. $21.5 million) for construction, Central Hall will have reception spaces and a new 1,000-square-meter gallery showcasing future acquisitions, new innovations in the rail industry, and the museum's world-class collection.

Out of 76 entries, five teams were shortlisted as finalists in November. Each team had three months to come up with their proposals, which have now been released. Here's a glimpse of each team's design.

6a architects (UK) and OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen (Belgium)

Atelier d’Architecture Philippe Prost (France)

Carmody Groarke (UK)

Feilden Fowles (UK)

heneghan peng architects (Ireland)

In the coming weeks, each team will be interviewed by the competition jury, who will evaluate the proposals and select the winner in March. 

All the proposals are currently on display online and at the museum, and are open to public feedback through February 23 (either at the exhibition or via email to the competition organizers at railwaymuseum@malcolmreading.com). The jury will receive a summary of all public comments received by that date.