Redesigning Heritage
HASSELL and Herzog & De Meuron have been announced as the winner of a pitch that required architects to visualise a new image for Melbourne, Australia’s iconic Flinders Street Station. The key: retaining its heritage.
The winning design was built around the idea of transforming the station from a “place of hurry” to a destination in it’s own right. HASSELL and Herzog & De Meuron’s proposal also creates a home for arts and cultural organisations – the inclusion of plazas, amphitheatres and a contemporary art gallery supporting the idea of fostering culture. HASSELL and Herzog & De Meuron’s winning proposal may now be considered by the government to lift the profile of the iconic station.
Other designs shortlisted included:
– Zaha Hadid and BVN Architects modernised the iconic Station by choosing to wrap the existing building in a curved façade. The design also extends the notion of a Station being a social hub by turning historical elements into bars, restaurants and cafes.
– Eduardo Velasquez, Manuel Pineda and Santiago Medina: Aiming to connect the city, this proposal established the Station as a highly accessible, central public space that utilises the Station’s roof to create an urban courtyard. This design was voted the ‘people’s choice’ and not only focuses on the everyday commuter, but also explores the experience of those who only occasionally visit Melbourne.
– John Wardle Architects and Grimshaw focused on ‘stitching’ the station into the urban fabric of Melbourne. Utilising elevated parks, concourses and incorporating historic elements of the Station the result is seamlessly integrated into the surrounding city.
– Ashton Raggatt McDougall: A futuristic vision for the Station, Ashton Raggatt McDougall’s proposal utilises ‘travelling ripples’ to create a wave like pattern on the interior and exterior of the station. The design also integrates a community aspect – a school as a key component of the new Station.
– NH Architecture aimed to capture the ‘Melbourness’ of Flinders Street Station and create a landmark for the City. A lattice roof looked to take the city’s weather into account utilising a design that protects from the elements while seamlessly uniting the components of the station.
Flinders Street Station is a Melbourne icon that was built in 1909.
