It's warm from the subway. A unique power station was opened in London

In London, heat from the subway will be used to heat buildings and produce hot water.

The Bunhill 2 thermal power plant, built in London by the Cullinan Studio project on the site of a former subway station, will heat and provide hot water to more than 1000 homes in the Islington area. Excess heat from the underground will be used as an energy source.

Bunhill 2 thermal power station in London. Project: Cullinan Studio. Photo: Paul Raftery

Bunhill 2 uses a large underground fan that extracts hot air from the subway tunnels and uses it to heat water that is then supplied to nearby homes. Such a method will help reduce carbon emissions, air pollution in the city, and reduce the costs of municipal services for local residents. Bunhill 2 claims to be the first thermal network of its kind in the world.

Bunhill 2 thermal power station in London. Project: Cullinan Studio. Photo: Paul Raftery

"Heat from the London Underground can become an important source of low-carbon energy," said Andy Lord, managing director of the London Underground.

Bunhill 2 thermal power station in London. Project: Cullinan Studio. Photo: Paul Raftery

Bunhill 2 station is not a typical example of industrial architecture. Using glazed brick and perforated metal panels, Cullinan Studio architects wanted to challenge traditional industrial aesthetics. Perforation of the facade is also a functional necessity: the holes promote ventilation.

Bunhill 2 thermal power station in London. Project: Cullinan Studio. Photo: Paul Raftery

The dark red color of the structure is a hint of the ceramic tiles of the same shade, which are often laid out in the stations of the London Underground, as well as the copper tanks of the gin factory, which used to be located near Bunhill 2. The brick foundation of the building was decorated with the works of the Scottish artist Toba Paterson , made of cast aluminum panels.

Bunhill 2 thermal power station in London. Project: Cullinan Studio. Photo: Paul Raftery

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