Distinguished by its black brick structure, the Primary Substation sits next to the Energy Centre at the west entrance to the Olympic Park and was the first building on the Park to be completed.

The design and build

Built on the site of the old Kings Yard, the Primary Substation distributes electricity efficiently from the wider national network to all the venues around the Olympic Park.

The architects chose to use dark bricks, as opposed to red bricks, to reflect the site’s industrial heritage and to create a sense of solidity appropriate to the building’s role as a cornerstone of the Park’s new utilities infrastructure that will underpins the future developments of the area.

Where possible, contractors reused material from the demolition of buildings in the nearby Kings Yard. A ‘brown roof’ was also included to attract wildlife and help enhance the biodiversity of the area.

Completed in less than three years, the Primary Substation was used to power the construction work, and will continue to supply developments in the Park during the Games and after.

After the Games

Along with the Energy Centre, the Primary Substation will help power the local area and support future developments.