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

Herbert Jacobs House #1- Situ Studio- Suspended Exploded Model

This three dimensional exploded basswood model suspended from the gallery ceilings of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Herbert Jacobs House #1, created by Situ Studio, is on display in “Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward” exhibition. This house was one of the first of Wright’s open plan, economic, energy efficient Usonian houses. The simple yet precise nature of the model makes the presentation of each of the house’s components, from its window frames to copper piped radiant heating system, clearly defined and distinguishable yet still viewable in connection with one another. “The three-scale models illuminate the internal mechanics of functional space in relation to exterior form.” Situ Studio

References

1. New York Times. “Frank Lloyd Wright. The Re-model.” Last modified May 29, 2009. http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/frank-lloyd-wright-the-re-model/?_r=0
2. Situ Studio. “Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward.” Last modified 2009. http://www.situstudio.com/works/projects/frank-lloyd-wrightbrfrom-within-outward#

Image Credits

1. David Heald, Model of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Herbert Jacobs House #1, New York Times, viewed 31 July, 2013, <http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/frank-lloyd-wright-the-re-model/?_r=0>

2. Keith Sirchic, Herbert Jacobs House, Situ Studio, viewed 31 July, 2013, <http://www.situstudio.com/works/projects/frank-lloyd-wrightbrfrom-within-outward#>

Introduction

I am an architecture student, halfway through second year of university. Meaning... halfway to my degree, and that scares me more than anything. Whilst I can't see myself in any other career path and do enjoy aspects of it, I have yet to truly love architecture as a whole. I have yet to become motivated and energized to undertake research and read about architects and their works. 

See, hopefully this is where this blog will come into use. It will track my architecture journey, as well as my endeavour to grow to love architecture. For now, I'll attempt a fortnightly post and though it might start off as a chore, I hope to look forward to these weekly sessions in the future.

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