Flinders Street Station

“The weatherproof, articulated filigree vaulted roof-scape is a respectful yet dynamic interpretation and contextual response to the history, function and location of this very special place in the heart of Melbourne.” Ascan Mergenthaler, Herzog & de Meuron

HASSAL + Herzog de Meuron’s winning design for the $1 million redevelopment of the historic Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, transforms the station into a modern 21^st century transport hub with new cultural and public functions. Emphasising the site’s predominant civic nature, their design incorporates a major public art gallery, a public plaza, an amphitheatre, marketplace and exhibition space for arts and cultural festivals. The design seeks to strengthen and build connections throughout the station precinct, providing dynamic and engaging pedestrian laneways which encourage audience interaction and attract people to the site. Rather than only focusing on its commercial use, an emphasis is placed on making the station a destination in its own right, interweaving public orientated attractions into the existing historic fabric. The built form pays tribute to the original19th century design seeking to provide distinct spatial environments for each passenger whilst maintaining the elegant grandeur of its main street frontages. The distinct vaulted canopy displays beauty in a modern expression which can be experienced both in scale and volume, but also maintaining a humble warm ambience, dispersing dappled natural light.

References and Image Credits

1. Hassel. “HASSELL + Herzog & de Meuron win Flinders Street Station competition” Last modified August 8, 2013. http://www.hassellstudio.com/en/cms-news/hassell-herzog-de-meuron-win-flinders-street-station-competition

2. Major Projects Victoria. “Flinders Street Station Design Competition Winner” Last modified 2013. http://vote.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/entrant/hassell-herzog-de-meuron