Meet Frank Anatole, an architect at Network Rail. Find out what a typical day looks like for him and why railway stations are more than just places you catch your train from …
What’s your job and what does it involve?
I’m the principal architect at Network Rail. This involves leading on designs for buildings like railway stations and depots.
A typical day might involve meetings in person or online, developing design standards or designs, reviewing and critiquing designs, visiting a station or site, or meeting other architects.
How do you design railway stations to benefit passengers?
A railway station is the gateway to rail travel and the entrance to a city, town or village for most people. So, it’s important that we make stations physically more accessible for everyone by providing lifts and stairs in easy to locate areas, such as in the middle of the concourse like we do at London Bridge station.
We also provide areas in the station that can be used for social and communal activities. A good example of this is at Tynemouth station, near Newcastle. Here, the old platform and loading area canopies bustle with thousands of people every weekend. Markets are hosted here, and it’s also used as a performance art space for music, dance and theatre events.
A bigger example is London St Pancras International station, which has become a destination for people who are not even there to catch trains.
Why did you decide to become an architect?
I like to design and plan, so buildings are a natural attraction for someone like me. Architecture is also a really good combination of art and science, which I like.
What’s unique about working as an architect on the railway?
It’s a specialised area where there’s usually a demand for your skills.
I’ve been at Network Rail for over five years. It’s a wonderful to work for the public, creating spaces that make people’s lives easier.
What should future (railway) architects be excited about in the future?
I think it’s exciting that stations are becoming the centre of communities and serving local people in ways we couldn’t have imagined before. Larger stations have become busier with more facilities such as shopping and other services.
What’s the first thing you ever designed?
A submarine in a comic strip that I drew at primary school. I did eventually design a school during my first year studying architecture.
What’s been your proudest achievement so far?
It has to be being part of the design team for the London Eye and for upgrading St Pancras station to an international destination.
What are the key skills needed for this role?
You need an understanding of the scale of a person, and an awareness of spatial dimensions. An ability to draw, and particularly sketch, is also useful, if not vital. You don’t need to be an expert at maths or science like I was once mistakenly told.
Any advice for aspiring architects out there?
It can be hard work, and you have to be open to criticism of your design. But it’s a very rewarding profession.
