---
title: "Leeds Station – United Kingdom"
url: "https://www.systra.com/en/projects/leeds-station-united-kingdom/"
type: projects
date_published: 2024-05-24
date_modified: 2026-08-04
schema:
  @type: WebPage
language: en-US
word_count: 568
reading_time: 3 min
canonical: "https://www.systra.com/en/projects/leeds-station-united-kingdom/"
featured_image: "https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/leeds-station-exterior-systra.jpg"
type-market:
  - Rail
project-market:
  - Buildings
  - Stations
project-service:
  - Design
project-location:
  - United Kingdom
---

# Leeds Station – United Kingdom

![Leeds Station – United Kingdom](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/leeds-station-exterior-systra.jpg)

**SYSTRA worked with Network Rail to deliver architectural design and project management for the renovation of Leeds Station’s southern concourse. The programme was delivered in under a year, with the renovated entrance officially opening in January 2020. The station remained open to passengers 24/7 throughout the works.**

The work involved reinventing the late-1960s timber roof and upgrading the
station entrance, retail space in the southern concourse, ticket gateline and
public toilets. New lighting and a gold-coloured entrance facade created a
brighter and more welcoming passenger environment.

![leeds_rc_tspleeds_final-13full](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/leeds_rc_tspleeds_final-13full.jpg)

### Bold Vision

SYSTRA’s architecture and engineering teams worked collaboratively to deliver
the ambitious programme and extend the brief beyond essential renewal.

The design created a distinctive and welcoming environment for the millions of
passengers who use Leeds Station each year, while improving security and the
long-term resilience of the concourse.

To create a strong first impression, the design combined a gold-coloured metal
facade with a transparent roof that allows natural daylight to flood the
concourse. Human-centric circadian lighting was incorporated to complement
natural light, while clear visual lines through the concourse help guide
passengers towards the gateline.

Network Rail’s brief was to replace the dark, dated timber roof and bring more
natural light into the concourse. The project team transformed the space within
a fully operational, 24-hour station over an 11-month programme. The works also
had to address the removal of legacy asbestos, electrical cabling and oil-based
paint finishes.

The design team developed an ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof solution
that allowed daylight to enter the concourse while making use of the existing
support structure. ETFE’s low weight, translucency and durability made it well
suited to the constrained programme and operational environment.

The completed roof uses ETFE cushions arranged across two levels. The bays
closest to the entrance are raised, increasing the sense of space and
strengthening the presence of the station frontage.

### Let There Be Light

In addition to the transparent roof, the team recognised that natural light
alone would not always deliver the intended effect on dull or overcast days. The
design therefore incorporated Human Circadian Rhythm Lighting (HCRL), described
at the time as a first for the UK rail sector. The tunable system follows daily
daylight patterns, using cooler white light in the morning and warmer light in
the evening.

![Leeds Station Opening](https://www.systra.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/leeds-station-opening-ag-47-of-91-4-scaled-1.jpg)

By varying light intensity and colour temperature throughout the day, the system
complements the daylight entering through the roof and creates a more
comfortable and consistent passenger environment.

Some examples of projects in Buildings, Stations, Design

[  T1 tram maintenance depot in Montreuil – France ](https://www.systra.com/en/projects/t1-tram-maintenance-depot-in-montreuil-france/)
[  Belo Horizonte International Airport – Brazil ](https://www.systra.com/en/projects/belo-horizonte-international-airport-brazil/)
[  New Delhi Railway Station – India ](https://www.systra.com/en/projects/new-delhi-railway-station-india/)
[  Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus – India ](https://www.systra.com/en/projects/chhatrapati-shivaji-maharaj-terminus-india/)
[  Ahmedabad Railway Station – India ](https://www.systra.com/en/projects/ahmedabad-railway-station-india/)
[  Łódź Fabryczna railway station – Poland  ](https://www.systra.com/en/projects/lodz-fabryczna-railway-station-poland/)

[ See a selection of SYSTRA's projects ](https://www.systra.com/en/our-projects/)