St Paul's Bus Station

This is the larger of two bus stations in Walsall. It replaced a dilapidated series of basic tubular steel shelters erected in the 1930s. An international competition was held that attracted over 100 entries and was won by AHMM. The station is dominated by its roof. Elliptical in plan, it measures 80 x 45m. The deck is formed of concrete and is punctured by a number of truncated cone shaped rooflights. It has a sedum covering and is held on average 7m aloft on 12 very slender steel "trees" that incorporate uplighters. At the southern end of the canopy is a small, two storey elliptical building, which provides crew facilities on the first floor together with toilets, a cafe and waiting area on the ground. The internal plan of this amenity building incorporates a number of cruciform shaped columns which gives lateral bracing to the larger roof. A smaller satellite set of stands lies opposite St Paul's Square, which was re-modelled as part of the project.