Reflections - the opportunities taken and those that were lost

Having made several journeys along the JLE and looked at each station with a critical eye, there are aspects of the station architecture that continue to impress and others that disappoint. The architects appointed to work on the JLE station designs were asked to express the civil engineering of the construction with clarity and honesty, and to ensure the internal spaces catered for the anticipated passenger flows over the next half century. Adornment, frippery, mannerism and architectural vanity, often seen in building architecture, were to be kept under strict control. But in doing so did Roland Paoletti really believe that it was possible to muzzle certain architects who we all know like to dazzle and show off? Perhaps it was this dichotomy and diversity of architectural expression among the chosen ensemble that gave the JLE its verve and uniqueness and delivered what Paoletti was really hoping for. It certainly has succeeded - we are passionate about what we like and dislike about the new JLE stations and that is good.