After a very long wait the 6 shortlisted designs in the Flinders Street Station Design Competition have been released for public view. As previously reported in November last year the competition has been through substantial controversy for not committing to release all of the designs from the first stage. It is hoped as the competition nears completion that a full exhibition of all entries is firmly on the agenda.
Yesterday a great online voting website was launched for the public to review the entries and cast their vote.
Click here to engage with Architecture
Overall these schemes are excellent and are very worthy of their top 6 positions, but there can only be one winner. So to add fuel to the fire here is my take on the designs
The Red + Black Assessment Part 1
Zaha Hadid Architecture + BVN Architecture
Zaha Hadid is well known worldwide for her aggressively sculptural architecture and her work on this design entry is no exception. A single architectural gesture flows over the site seamlessly forming canopies, walkways, foyers and enclosed office and hotel space.
Externally the white curvaceous form stands the new insertion apart from the heritage facades and the more gritty urban surrounds. Internally however this starkness seems to work against it by appearing sterile and not too dissimilar from a shopping centre.
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Score card Zaha Hadid Architecture + BVN Architecture
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| Overall Design Merit | 4 |
| Transport Function | 3 |
| Cultural Heritage and Iconic Status | 4 |
| Urban Design and Precinct Integration | 3 |
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Total Score |
14/20 |
NH Architecture have presented a very sensitive design to the heritage context. This design retains both the Eastern concourse and the platform canopies which are dispensed with in other schemes. A diagonally latticed canopy forms a dramatic new North-West entrance through the Milk Dock area.
A new pedestrian footbridge connects diagonally across the Yarra and creates a visual relationship with Hamer Hall. The relationship between the design and the Yarra River appears quite successful through the integration of public spaces and a river terrace dining area.
Another key feature of this design is the Melbourne Room which serves as a multi-purpose, function / gallery / performance space. The contemporary material palette overall complements the existing administration building without competing for prominence.
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Score card NH Architecture |
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| Overall Design Merit | 4 |
| Transport Function | 3 |
| Cultural Heritage and Iconic Status | 4 |
| Urban Design and Precinct Integration | 4 |
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Total Score |
15/20 |
John Wardle Architects + Grimshaw
This contextually driven design integrates a public park and a design museum with the existing train station. The design is presented at the opposite end of the spectrum to the slick Zaha Hadid + BVN Architecture animation. Wardle + Grimshaw’s presentation emphasises the sensual and the rustic properties of the materials and light. Although computer generated, the imagery has a human feel similar to that in beautiful hand sketches.
The vaulted brick interface with the Yarra River is compelling as are the park spaces. The connections to the Administration building however are far less convincing.
The new Design Museum structure on the Eastern concourse is an interesting and well-designed structure in its own right, However it does seem out of place when viewed from St Kilda Road. I predict this design to be very popular with the public due to its well-crafted presentation and prominent green space.
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Score card John Wardle Architects + Grimshaw
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| Overall Design Merit | 3 |
| Transport Function | 3 |
| Cultural Heritage and Iconic Status | 4 |
| Urban Design and Precinct Integration | 3 |
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Total Score |
13/20 |
click here to continue to Part 2 of the Red + Black Assessment on the Flinders Street Station Design Competition and don’t forget to have your say by voting or commenting below
Architecture is for everyone!
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