Six Flinders Street Station Proposals Battle It Out for "Public Choice Award"

© Zaha Hadid Architecture & BVN Architecture

Written by Karissa Rosenfield
Published on August 05, 2013

The Victorian Coalition Government’s design competition to re-imagine Melbourne’s historic Flinders Street Station has entered its final phase as the public submits their last minute votes for the “People’s Choice Award” today. Though each proposal is dramatically different, ranging from Zaha Hadid Architects’ carefully calculated, sinuous curves to Herzog & de Meuron’s extrusion of vaulted canopies, all promise to elevate the stations status to the 21st century whilst respecting its historic context.

Form your own opintion and vote for your favorite after the break...

Ashton Raggatt McDougall (Melbourne)

“In the local consciousness of Melbourne, the clocks, the trams, the tower and the verandas of Flinders Street Station represent a vision of the city, of a marvellous Melbourne, of a former glory even.

We propose to reinstate and re-invent the former glory and public significance of the station, not only restore it but to reintegrate it too, with a secondary school for senior students, a new Riverwalk, allowing a sunny walk and spectacular views on the northbank of the river, and a roof garden big enough to provide habitat for our native flora and fauna... (Read more and vote for this proposal here).”

John Wardle Architects + Grimshaw (Australia and UK)

“The station has been reorganized to allow the historic fabric to be revered and restored, yet strong interventions have been made where they are necessary to create connections with new urban conditions.

The proposal is finely tuned to its context responding precisely to the different conditions of the surrounding riverbank, Federation Square, and the city. The pattern of bridges, underpasses, vaults and park orient towards an organic movement between city and river, and are stitched together across the full length of the site.... (Read more and vote for this proposal here).”

HASSELL + Herzog & de Meuron (Melbourne and Switzerland)

Courtesy of HASSELL + Herzog & de Meuron

“Decades after the people of Melbourne first talked about “meeting under the clocks” at Flinders Street Station, the HASSELL + Herzog and de Meuron proposal updates it for the 21st Century, turning it from a place to hurry through to a destination.

The overall design merit of the proposal can be seen in a new, major public art gallery, public plaza, amphitheater, marketplace, and a permanent home for arts and cultural festival organizations. But we have also delivered the glory of the first 19th Century design for Flinders Street Station... (Read more and vote for this proposal here).”

NH Architecture (Melbourne)

“Our design seeks to capture this ‘Melbourness’ and create a new landmark for the city and the Yarra River. As a partner to Federation Square it will be the next generation ‘postcard’ for national and international visitors. A glass lattice roof will float above the stations new concourses, offering commuters protection from Melbourne’s four-seasons-in-one-day without interrupting the historical views of the original station building or across the river to Southbank... (Read more and vote for this proposal here).”

Eduardo Velasquez + Manuel Pineda + Santiago Medina (Colombia via University of Melbourne)

Courtesy of Eduardo Velasquez + Manuel Pineda + Santiago Medina

“Flinders Street Station has become an obstacle in a city that has grown up around it at an alarming pace. Our proposal seeks to tap into the potential that this central site has to provide the missing link between some of the city’s most-cherished landmarks, whilst adding a new feature of value to the urban landscape of Melbourne.

The development of an urban park above the railway roof transforms the station into a highly accessible and usable public space that enhances both the everyday commuter and the visitor’s experience of Melbourne and contributes to its status as one of the world’s most liveable cities... (Read more and vote for this proposal here).”

Zaha Hadid Architecture & BVN Architecture (UK and Melbourne)

“Our proposal creates a new place that embodies the urbanity of Melbourne, with its quirks, character and heritage. It is designed around a new public space that traverses the site, connecting to a reinvigorated Yarra River promenade... (Read more and vote for this proposal here).”

Voting ends today and the People's Choice Award will be announced Thursday. It is unclear whether or not the People’s Choice Award will be allowed to influence the jury’s final say.