Heathrow International Airport Transit Stations

HOK has been a trusted partner for multiple projects at Heathrow International Airport. This includes leading the design team for the Terminal 5 multimodal interchange and overseeing the complete design of the tracked transit system connecting Terminal 5’s main building to the satellite concourses.

The multimodal interchange station includes six underground platforms connecting with the London Underground tube system: two for the London Underground Piccadilly Line extension, two that serve both the Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth Line, and two for future heavy rail service west of Heathrow in Slough and Reading.

The station’s clear design provides a seamless, intuitive travel experience with a natural flow to Terminal 5. Elevators traverse the 30.4 meters (100 feet) from the rail platform to the departures/check-in level. A transparent ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) roof over the entire vertical circulation “interchange” core fills the platforms with natural light, enhances the passenger experience, reinforces wayfinding, insulates the terminal and reduces energy consumption for heating and cooling.

Each station platform includes glass-enclosed elevators leading directly to Terminal 5’s departures and arrivals levels. The natural light penetrating the elevator cores emphasizes the direct flow of passenger movement. Escalators at the platform level provide direct access to baggage claim and the lowest parking garage level.

Through close collaboration with the project’s civil engineers and track alignment team, HOK optimized the station’s layout, reconfiguring the track layouts to reduce the station’s width and save approximately £20 million in construction costs.

HOK also designed Phases I and II of the underground tracked transit system connecting Terminal 5’s main building with the satellite B and C Concourses, as well as an underground maintenance facility for the trains. The tracked transit system design mimics the multimodal interchange station, featuring glass-enclosed elevator banks and glass walls between facilities to create clear sightlines for passengers throughout their travel journey.

With 43% of travelers arriving at Heathrow via public transport, these projects expand public access to the airport and strengthen its connection to the greater London community.