Southern Cross Station
Client
Victorian Department of Transport
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Value
AUD $309M
This project involved the total redevelopment of the former Spencer Street Railway Station and surrounding precinct. Designed in collaboration with Grimshaw Architects, it responds to the functional, operational and logistical needs of the station but also links Melbourne’s central city grid with the then rapidly expanding Docklands precinct.
The soaring roof allows excellent visual connection from the Collins Street concourse through to the Bourke Street Bridge concourse and engages Spencer Street with the use of an expansive glazed facade.
The footpaths flow into the station or rise up to mediate the level changes across the site. The openness within creates a distinctive sense of accessibility and permeability allowing the public to enter the building as a destination (to the trains) or to pass through to Docklands.
The undulating roof not only captures the imagination - the peak of each roof vault is designed with integrated louvres to promote natural ventilation of exhaust fumes and airborne particulates.
The adjacent 30,000m2 West End Plaza Retail development provides a 30 bay Bus Interchange and an 800 space car park to service suburban and country Victoria rail passengers.
It also includes 3,000sqm supermarket and mixed retail outlets. The scheme also allows for a proposed future office tower. The outcome shows how successful urban design can contribute to the public and civic realm of a city.
In Collaboration With Grimshaw
