Project Overview
Redefining the suburb’s heart with a central public plaza, the Glenroy Station project strengthens pedestrian connections between the retail centre and new development areas through the creation of a public forecourt spanning the rail trench and above the platforms.
Commissioned by the North West Program Alliance, as a part of the Victorian Government’s Level Crossing Removal Project, the project sees the removal of the level crossing at Glenroy Road, through which 19,000 vehicles pass daily.
Transforming the centre of Glenroy, the station precinct provides new green public spaces, linking the east and west sides of the rail corridor for safe public access, and resolving the competing needs of trains, buses, vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians operating in a small area.
Through creativity, quality and attention to detail, the design creates something unexpected of station design, allowing locals and visitors to experience Glenroy Station in a new way.
Project Commissioner
North Western Program Alliance (NWPA)
Project Creator
Team
Genton: Marc Debney, Jamie McCutcheon, Steven Toia, Werner Pretorius, David Polizzi, Elisa Franceschini, Ayrine Kwan, Christopher Phillips, Dinel Meyepa, Inez Kozak
MALA Studios: Campbell Morris, Martin Woodbine
Project Brief
Inspired by the basalt plains on which the site sits, a translucent canopy of perforated, anodised aluminium covers the station, forming a bold structure that allows for permeability through the station while maintaining visibility and safety. The scale of the station building is designed to appear grounded in the landscape, and over time to blend in with surrounding greenery as the landscape matures in future years.
Genton’s urban design strategy involved relocating the station away from the heavily trafficked intersection at Glenroy Road, to prioritise pedestrianisation through the creation of a bridge linking the retail centre of Glenroy to the eastern side of the corridor to catalyse new opportunities for urban renewal.
Within the station, the soffit of the canopy and internal walls are a vibrant copper tone, referencing the industrial local context of the site, creating a striking accent and a warm, light environment for commuters. The design of the ground-level station includes two new lifts in conjunction with stair access to each platform, a waiting room with city views, undercover seating areas and improved lighting. This offers great benefit to the passengers and makes the station an enjoyable part of their commuting trip.
Collaborating with landscape architects Mala Studio, the project includes a new linear park running from the station entrance to Glenroy Road that will provide a pleasant passage between the activity centres of Post Office Place and Wheatsheaf Road. A linear bus interchange minimises space requirements for those in transit.
Project Innovation/Need
Traditionally, station design is focused on the commuter journey and commuter amenities. Glenroy’s design approach challenges this notion and demonstrates, that within the same cost, a progressive design can also address its urban context and reflect the unique character of its location to be a design that serves both commuters and the community.
By broadening the scope and possibilities of a ‘station’, creative and cost-effective measures were used throughout the design to achieve a quality product and maintain a high amenity look and finish.
Examples include:
- Multi-functional Design Elements – using creativity and innovation to turn functional/standard elements such as the station canopy and station entry into architectural icons.
- Material Strategy – selected for reference to the local landscape, durability and low ongoing maintenance, as well as high quality appearance.
- Pre-fabrication – the site was predominately live throughout the duration of construction, resultingly the station buildings and elements were all designed for pre-fabrication off site and only onsite assembly minimising disruption to the travelling public.
- Landscaping was an integral part of the design, providing new public green spaces and providing a new linear park.
- Consultant/Stakeholder Collaboration – the station was delivered in an alliance structure. In order to push the ambitious vision forward, close collaboration was employed with all stakeholders very early in the design process. This enabled the sharing of ideas and a reduction in the number of design iterations, providing both cost and time effective.
Design Challenge
The new station has improved the formerly disconnected public amenities, enhancing street presence and creating an easier and safer environment by reducing the dangerous and congested level crossing at Glenroy Road. It also offers commuters a straight line of travel, avoiding footpaths and roads, to the connecting bus interchange. Key elements allow the station to both address the city and service commuters are:
- Canopy: More than a shelter, this translucent canopy of perforated, anodised aluminium covers the station, has created a gateway and a bold landmark. The permeable nature of the structure provides safety and visibility and facilitates ease of travel and circulation from one side of the station to the other.
- Mass and form: The scale of the station building is designed to appear grounded in the landscape, and over time to blend in with surrounding greenery as the landscape matures in future years.
- Bridge link: The bridge link was widened to 14 metres to enhance connectivity between Post Office Place and Hartington Street at the ground plane, making the project more than a train station by encouraging pedestrian movement between both sides of the tracks. Landscape and material prompts are employed to carefully and subtly separate cyclist and pedestrian zones.
- Entry/Forecourt: The station forecourt creates a grand sense of arrival to the station and city. This has improved safety and commuter pedestrian flow to alight or embark services and pass through the gate line.
Sustainability
The design of Glenroy Station demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability by engaging with environmentally and economically sustainable practices. Besides allowing for the provision of solar panels, the canopy and screen provide solar shading and passive ventilation. Careful selection of materials and drought resistant on platform planting promises low maintenance durability. Most of the station was pre-fabricated off-site, allowing for economic and time efficiency.
Urban Design
This award celebrates creativity and innovation in the process of place making, designing and shaping cities, towns and villages. The category prioritises the connections made between people and places, movement and urban form, nature and the built fabric. Consideration given to giving form, shape and character to groups of buildings, streets and public spaces, transport systems, services and amenities, whole neighbourhoods and districts, and entire cities, to make urban areas functional, attractive and sustainable.
More Details