Weston Williamson

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Having worked on both the Initial Reference Design (IRD) and Reference Design (RD) for the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel during my years at Grimshaw, I have maintained an ongoing interest in the project from afar, as development plans for each station along the twin 9km tunnels are finessed and new renders are released.

The key theme for us when working on the Reference Designs of each station was "celebrating the engineering" and designing a series of components (or kit of parts) which could be upgraded over time as required or advancements in technology, rather than making wholesale changes to the architecture or aesthetics to respond to the design trend of the time.

This translated into a line-wide identity where concrete and steel structural elements were exposed for all to see and reflected the construction methodology and technologies employed. This reflected the design of metro stations around the world such as those in Copenhagen, Budapest, London etc.

The concept of a line-wide identity was further explored with platform and concourse levels generally consistent across the mined cavern stations  (CBD North and South) and again for the cut and cover station box stations (Arden, Parkville and Domain). Each station would then reflect its surrounding context as you ascended up towards street level, particularly at the upper concourse and station entries.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/parkville_platform.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Reference Design for Parkville's Platform level. Image: Grimshaw Architects"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="266" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_platform.jpg?itok=Uvh06tdR" title="Reference Design for Parkville's Platform level. Image: Grimshaw Architects" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Reference Design for Parkville's Platform level. Image: Grimshaw Architects</figcaption></figure>The latest round of renders, <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/melbourne-metros-finalised-station-designs-unveiled">which were released on Wednesda</a>y, carried with them a "Concept Image" watermark and based on my own experiences the likelihood is that the designs will continue to evolve and be refined to respond to the construction methodology and stakeholder feedback.

The team of architects, which comprises and is led by local (but global) firm HASSELL includes international offices Weston Williamson and Rogers Stirk Harbour who were brought in following Cross Yarra Partnership's successful bid for the stations. In a joint statement the design team describes the key drivers which influenced the station designs;

<blockquote>
Passenger experience has been at the heart of our design. The stations open up to fresh air and natural light and the underground spaces have a generous civic quality that will feel safe and intuitive to use.

But this project isn’t just about adding new stations, it actually creates five extraordinary new public buildings and transformative public places for Melbourne. Together these new places will add a brand new layer to Melbourne, amplifying and connecting to what makes our city one of the world’s most liveable.

We’re proud to be part of this project that will help shape the way the city works today, into the next century and beyond and we hope that Melbourne will grow to be proud of the new metro.

- HASSELL, Weston Williamson and Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners 
</blockquote>

What has become clear that with the reduced construction programme and station completions being brought forward by a year that the designs of each station have had to respond accordingly. 

<h2>Anzac Station (formerly Domain Station)</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/anzac_station_ba.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before &amp; After - L: Domain Station &amp; R: Anzac Station. Image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="333" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anzac_station_ba.jpg?itok=dPG6bCxM" title="Before &amp; After - L: Domain Station &amp; R: Anzac Station. Image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before &amp; After - L: Domain Station &amp; R: Anzac Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>"Anzac Station has been designed as a ‘pavilion in the park’ – an integrated public building and landmark that connects seamlessly with surrounding parklands."

Above ground the design has generally remained true to the first concept released, with the element of reality and practicality added to the pavilion's canopy, which previously almost appeared to float over the station entry at the tram interchange.

Dual entries either side of St Kilda Road within the Shrine gardens and Albert Road Reserve allow passengers to cross the stretch of road below ground, removing the conflict with vehicles.

Below ground based on the renders provided, it would appear the line-wide identity has become more consistent across the stations, with the site-specific coloured bands across the OTE plenums now the bronze finish prevalent throughout all the stations. Likewise, the structural elements are treated with minimum fuss or need for unnecessary ornament.

<h2>Town Hall Station (formerly CBD South Station)</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/town_hall_ba.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before &amp; After - L: CBD South Station &amp; R: Town Hall Station. Image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="362" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/town_hall_ba.jpg?itok=qahHMJp5" title="Before &amp; After - L: CBD South Station &amp; R: Town Hall Station. Image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before &amp; After - L: CBD South Station &amp; R: Town Hall Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>The first concept images for what was then CBD South Station featured a series of arches and vaulted spaces which were also reflected in some form at CBD North Station. The arches within the concourse area have since evolved into a forest of concrete structural branches supporting a web of beams set against a backdrop of solid and perforated metal panels.

At platform level, the vaults have been rationalised from a contoured fan vault into a more regular barrel vault, with bronze overlapping arches tacked on supporting the lighting and supported by large concrete columns, again reflecting the line-wide strategy, with some tweaking to reflect the cavern station construction. 

Above ground within Federation and City Square canopies over the entries reflect the respective locations with a lightweight  steel and glass structure at City Square and a more blade-like canopy at Fed Square drawing on the geometry of the architecture of the buildings there. Whether that is the final design is to be determined in light of the controversy surrounding Apple's potential move to the square and the architecture employed for its store.

Of particular note also, is the changing role of Flinders Lane in the precinct, which is slated to  "...become a shared street adjacent to City Square, with a raised surface to increase the scale of the square and link it to St Paul’s Cathedral and Chapter House Lane."

<h2>State Library Station (formerly CBD North)</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/state_library.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before &amp; After - L: CBD North Station &amp; R: State Library Station. Image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="364" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/state_library.jpg?itok=F-ma6EaL" title="Before &amp; After - L: CBD North Station &amp; R: State Library Station. Image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before &amp; After - L: CBD North Station &amp; R: State Library Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>The reflective iridescent arches within the main entry located on the corner of LaTrobe and Swanston Streets have been replaced with supersized concrete portal frames which span the full width of the entry save for the lobby and core areas set aside for the Over Site Development (OSD) which they will eventually support.

Once again the metallic panelling provides the surface treatment to the walls and soffits at street level. Glazing along LaTrobe Street provides the entry with light and visibility.

The platform level at State Library is essentially the same as at Town Hall Station.

According to the Metro Tunnel website "Existing laneways at Literature Lane and Stewart Street will be revitalised and extended to provide connections into the new station, opening up new walking routes and evenly distributing pedestrians around the precinct".  Swanston Street will be reconfigured to "enable widened footpaths, increasing space for pedestrians outside the new station and creating space for new trees to be planted."

It has not been confirmed whether the tiered amphitheatre entry at Franklin Street adjacent to RMIT has been retained in the latest round of designs - its origins tracing back to Reference Design. The southern footpath however, "will be widened to become a linear park with areas for socialising, outdoor dining, shade, gardens and public art." This forms part of a greater strategy to transform the street into a pedestrian promenade between Stewart and Victoria Streets. 

<h2>Parkville Station</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/parkville_ba.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before &amp; After - L: Parkville Station &amp; R: Parkville Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="358" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_ba.jpg?itok=STjtloNz" title="Before &amp; After - L: Parkville Station &amp; R: Parkville Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before &amp; After - L: Parkville Station &amp; R: Parkville Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>The construction of the station will see Grattan Street transformed into a ‘grand promenade,’ connecting some of Victoria’s most prominent institutions.

"The main station entry, on the northern side of Grattan Street outside the University of Melbourne, features a 50 metre long glass and steel canopy to draw natural light into the station concourse. The entrance has been designed to sit within the tree canopy to blend in with the surrounding environment. Natural light is also maximised in the concourse via light wells that allow light to penetrate from the surface to the station below."

The concourse level previously featured a ceiling comprising large staggered apertures of varying sizes allowing light into the station. These have since been rationalised and appear more as traditional skylight strips in response to the structural elements and construction of the station.

Down at platform level, Parkville features design features and finishes in keeping with North Melbourne and Anzac Stations.

<h2>North Melbourne Station (formerly Arden Station)</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/nth_melbourne.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before &amp; After - L: Arden Station &amp; R: North Melbourne Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="363" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/nth_melbourne.jpg?itok=n4CqspkI" title="Before &amp; After - L: Arden Station &amp; R: North Melbourne Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before &amp; After - L: Arden Station &amp; R: North Melbourne Station. Images: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>As the catalyst for the wider renewal of the Arden Precinct, the station design draws on the area's former industrial character and history with concrete and masonry forming the grand vaulted entry.

Earlier concepts also featured the use of brick throughout, with the cascading stairs down to platform level previously shown as being lined with brick paving.

The entrance will be raised 1.5m above ground level to respond to flooding.
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Laurence Dragomir

A closer look at the latest round of Melbourne Metro Station Designs

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The Victorian Government has unveiled updated &amp; finalised designs for the stations on the Melbourne Metro project with each station entrance, concourse &amp; ticketing area and platform level having its own distinct identity.

With a nod to each station location's context and heritage, the station entrances are anything but uniform.  Hassell in conjunction with Weston Williamson and Rogers Stirk &amp; Harbour and Partners are the architects responsible for the finalised designs.

Starting at the westernmost station, North Melbourne, working eastward to the last of the new stations, Anzac, the designs have been described by the government as follows.

<h2>North Melbourne</h2>

"North Melbourne Station has an impressive large-scale brick arched entrance to reflect the area’s industrial heritage and skylights to enable natural light to filter down on the platforms and concourse." 

For the external render of the entrance, refer to the lead image above. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/northmelbourne_concourse_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="North Melbourne concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/northmelbourne_concourse_1024x576.jpg?itok=Tz2gPTiY" title="North Melbourne concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>North Melbourne concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/northmelbourne_platform_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="North Melbourne platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/northmelbourne_platform_1024x576.jpg?itok=1ZkkfgE3" title="North Melbourne platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>North Melbourne platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><h2>Parkville</h2>

"A glass feature roof at the Grattan Street entrance provides passengers visiting this world class health and education precinct with a tree-lined view as well as natural light into the station concourse."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/parkville_grattanst_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Parkville's Grattan St entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_grattanst_1024x576.jpg?itok=4pem76a-" title="Parkville's Grattan St entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parkville's Grattan St entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>​​​​​​

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/parkville_concourse_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Parkville concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_concourse_1024x576.jpg?itok=fbkJuHKb" title="Parkville concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parkville concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/parkville_platform_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Parkville platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_platform_1024x576.jpg?itok=lfmG7rnq" title="Parkville platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parkville platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><h2>State Library</h2>

"Grand entrances at State Library and Town Hall Stations in the heart of the CBD will create new meeting places, with redesigned laneways including cafes and retail shops. Below Swanston Street, passengers will enjoy wide and spacious platforms framed by sweeping arches."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/statelibrary_swanstonst_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="State Library Swanston Street entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/statelibrary_swanstonst_1024x576.jpg?itok=5qeAyNZi" title="State Library Swanston Street entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>State Library Swanston Street entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/statelibrary_platform2_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="State Library platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/statelibrary_platform2_1024x576.jpg?itok=fnyOz6wz" title="State Library platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>State Library platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure> 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/statelibrary_platform3_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Another perspective on State Library's platform ceiling - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/statelibrary_platform3_1024x576.jpg?itok=SPFHqRZe" title="Another perspective on State Library's platform ceiling - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Another perspective on State Library's platform ceiling - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><h2>Town Hall</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/townhall_citysquare_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Town Hall City Square / Collins Street entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/townhall_citysquare_1024x576.jpg?itok=H7cGW4sq" title="Town Hall City Square / Collins Street entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Town Hall City Square / Collins Street entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure> 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/townhall_fedsquare_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Town Hall Federation Square entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/townhall_fedsquare_1024x576.jpg?itok=yDzcT7h_" title="Town Hall Federation Square entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Town Hall Federation Square entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure> 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/townhall_concourse_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Town Hall concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/townhall_concourse_1024x576.jpg?itok=I-rtPPjj" title="Town Hall concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Town Hall concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure><h2>Anzac</h2>

"A key element at Anzac Station in Domain will be an architecturally designed canopy reaching up from below ground, providing both natural light and weather protection for the thousands of passengers each day who will move between trains and trams."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/anzac_stkilda_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Anzac entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anzac_stkilda_1024x576.jpg?itok=qGSRQr3F" title="Anzac entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Anzac entrance - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure> 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/anzac_concourse_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Anzac concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anzac_concourse_1024x576.jpg?itok=onDQhc_n" title="Anzac concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Anzac concourse - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure> 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public//pictures/article-images/anzac_platform_1024x576.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Anzac platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="326" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files//styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anzac_platform_1024x576.jpg?itok=VUXtEipn" title="Anzac platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Anzac platform - image: Rail Projects Victoria</figcaption></figure>The Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, and newly elected Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Sally Capp, also announced a wide-scale upgrade to the Elizabeth Street and Degraves Street pedestrian subways this morning.

Upgrades will include restoration and cleaning of heritage tiles in the subways and the metal partition in the Elizabeth Street subway will be replaced with glass.  

The pedestrian subway works are part of the previously announced $100 million upgrade for Flinders Street station.

Spring Street has also stated Flinders Street station will be the first of the metropolitan stations to see signage and passenger information displays where each railway line will have its own colour.

North Melbourne station, née Arden, will be the centre of a new redevelopment zone in which the state government is a <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/the-current-state-of-play-within-arden-macaulay">major landholder</a> and has previously announced it intends to use that position to effect a greater supply of residential development within the zone.  

The Premier is currently on a trade mission to China where he's set to inspect the progress on the construction of the tunnel boring machines that will build the Melbourne Metro Tunnel.

Trains are set to commence running through the new stations in 2025.
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Alastair Taylor

Melbourne Metro's finalised station designs unveiled

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The names of the five new stations that together form the Melbourne Metro Rail Project have been revealed following an extensive public submission process that attracted over 50,000 suggestions.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan visited the CBD North work-site to announce the new station names at what will eventually be known as State Library Station.

State Library Station will have an underground connection to Melbourne Central Station's concourse and its primary entry on the corner of LaTrobe and Swanston Streets with the existing buildings on site currently being demolished.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/state_library_station.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Concept for State Library Station's Franklin Street entry. Image: MMRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="405" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/state_library_station.jpg?itok=LWPI2_Mv" title="Concept for State Library Station's Franklin Street entry. Image: MMRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concept for State Library Station's Franklin Street entry. Image: MMRA</figcaption></figure>Further south along Swanston Street will be Town Hall Station (previously CBD South) with entries located within City Square, Federation Square and between Young &amp; Jacksons and the Nicholas Building in addition to an underground connection to Flinders Street Station.

The underground station under St Kilda Road will be named Anzac Station with a direct interchange to the tram network and station entries either side of St Kilda Road. The name was chosen to reflect its location adjacent to the Shrine of Remembrance.

Parkville, the new station servicing the Melbourne University Education and hospital and research precinct is the only station which retains its working name.

The existing North Melbourne Station will be renamed West Melbourne to better reflect its location which will allow the new station located within the Arden Renewal Precinct to adopt North Melbourne Station name.

The majority of the 50,000 entries for the new station names indicated that Victorians wanted names which reflected the station’s locations although there were the occasional references to The Simpsons and Game of Thrones.

Each new station will adopt world-class urban design principles which will revitalise vital open space above ground for the hundreds of thousands of people who use them each day.

<blockquote>
We’re getting the Metro Tunnel done – to run more trains, more often across Melbourne and Victoria, finally giving our state the transport system it deserves. Victoria has embraced this project and the naming process – with more than 50,000 suggestions for what these state-of-the-art stations should be called.

- Premier Daniel Andrews
</blockquote>

The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority has also released the development plans for the five stations prepared by Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) comprising of Lendlease Engineering, John Holland and Capella Capital with designs by HASSELL in conjunction with Rogers Stirk + Harbour and Weston Williamson + Partners.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/state_library_station_interior.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Concept for the interior of State Library Station's LaTrobe Street entry. Image: MMRA"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="405" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/state_library_station_interior.jpg?itok=97NREinq" title="Concept for the interior of State Library Station's LaTrobe Street entry. Image: MMRA" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Concept for the interior of State Library Station's LaTrobe Street entry. Image: MMRA</figcaption></figure>As part of the process individuals, businesses and the greater community are encouraged to have their say on draft Development Plans and a draft Early Works Plan for the Metro Tunnel Project. Submissions can be made until 5pm Friday 15 December 2017 and the MMRA will be running as series of information sessions at the locations listed below:

<ul>
<li>Thursday 30 November, 11am – 2pm, Seasons Botanic Gardens, 348 St Kilda Road, Melbourne</li>
	<li>Thursday 30 November, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, Seasons Botanic Gardens, 348 St Kilda Road, Melbourne</li>
	<li>Monday 4 December, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, Meat Market, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne</li>
	<li>Tuesday 5 December, 11am – 2pm, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street, Melbourne</li>
	<li>Tuesday 5 December, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street, Melbourne</li>
	<li>Saturday 9 December, 11am – 2pm, North Melbourne Football Club, 204-206 Arden Street, North Melbourne</li>
	<li>Tuesday 12 December, 5:30pm – 8:30pm, Melbourne Town Hall, 90-130 Swanston Street, Melbourne</li>
</ul>
CYP’s designs have incorporated feedback from a range of stakeholders including those identified in the Incorporated Document; the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, City of Melbourne, Heritage Victoria, Transport for Victoria, VicRoads, Public Transport Victoria and Melbourne Water. Additional consultation with community and stakeholders has also occurred as part of the preparation of the Development Plans.

<h2>North Melbourne Station</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/north_melbourne_station_site_plan.png" rel="gallery-all" title="North Melbourne Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="293" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/north_melbourne_station_site_plan.png?itok=t6G1Jozt" title="North Melbourne Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>North Melbourne Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership</figcaption></figure>The Arden precinct is to become a new destination and community of Melbourne – a place to work, live and visit. The station will be the catalyst for the urban renewal of this precinct and will be the heart of its economic, social and civic intensity. It will also have a direct influence on the site’s eventual configuration.

North Melbourne Station will set the tone for this important urban renewal project. The Day 1 entrance to the station at Laurens Street and the surrounding public realm will seed the character and benchmark Arden’s identity.

<h2>Parkville Station </h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/parkville_station_site_plan.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Parkville Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="366" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/parkville_station_site_plan.png?itok=-viZXzDi" title="Parkville Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Parkville Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership</figcaption></figure>The metro and public realm have a direct interface with the evolving master plan of University of Melbourne, which is redeveloping some of its buildings and precincts along Grattan Street and Royal Parade as well as developing more intensively to the south of Grattan Street. The metro station will provide a major new entry point for the campus on Grattan Street and change its movement circulation patterns and orientation more north-south.

CYP have reduced station structure encroachment into University land, compared to the reference design, integrating the station entrance within the existing

<h2>State Library Station</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/state_library_station.png" rel="gallery-all" title="State Library Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="297" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/state_library_station.png?itok=0-C9H_zD" title="State Library Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>State Library Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership</figcaption></figure>The public domain associated with the State Library Station will effectively become the base for the next stage of evolution for this fast growing part of the Melbourne CBD. State Library Station will act as a catalyst for the ongoing development of the areas public realm, which is capable of being supported by the growing and energetic population moving into this area.

By encouraging greater amenity and encouraging people to linger longer in the precinct, it is envisaged that this part of the city will change to become more vibrant, where local residents are part of a community. In turn, new activities, businesses, and services will develop to meet growing demands, bringing direct and indirect benefits to the community.

Another significant change occurring within the CBD North precinct is RMIT University’s reconfiguration of its ‘blank buildings’ on Swanston and Franklin streets with the New Academic Street project which was completed in 2017. The aim of this project has been to encourage more ‘outward’ facing buildings that engage with the surrounding streets, including the new Franklin Street promenade.

<h2>Town Hall Station </h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/town_hall_station.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Town Hall Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="425" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/town_hall_station.png?itok=jzedddQw" title="Town Hall Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Town Hall Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership</figcaption></figure>The Town Hall Station precinct is the centre of the transport network containing trams, cars, bicycles and pedestrians being a vibrant cultural and civic heart of Melbourne. There will be future pressures on Flinders Street and Swanston Street (south) which will need to prioritise pedestrian, tram and bicycle movements to allow more efficient and safe movement within this public realm.

The City of Melbourne has various staged plans to manage this transition. The City of Melbourne Walking Plan 2014-2017 will facilitate key actions including addressing pedestrian crowding around train, tram and bus stops, creating attractive, connected walking networks and reducing pedestrian delays at signalised crossings.

The City of Melbourne Bicycle Plan 2016-2020 will provide for more bicycle parking spaces and maintenance stations and improving connections into and out of the city centre. In 2015, the City of Melbourne produced an integrated water cycle management plan for sustainable water management in this catchment.

The station precinct also falls within the Elizabeth Street stormwater catchment area. The project, which will provide more efficient, convenient and enjoyable access the city, will give impetus to these plans.

<h2>Anzac Station</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/anzac_station.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Anzac Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="399" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/anzac_station.png?itok=8e7kaBCF" title="Anzac Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Anzac Station Site Plan. Image: Cross Yarra Partnership</figcaption></figure>The Domain precinct falls within two Melbourne municipalities; the City of Melbourne is the Authority responsible for Domain Road and the City of Port Phillip is the Authority responsible for Albert Road.

Other key land managers are VicRoads, responsible for St Kilda Road, and the Shrine Board of Trustees (for the Shrine of Remembrance Reserve). The 2015 St Kilda Road North Precinct Plan (City of Port Phillip) recommends more intensive development and increased population in the precinct surrounding the proposed station.

Improved public realm and linkages across the Domain precinct resulting from the development of the station would support this recommendation. In addition to increased population, St Kilda Road is subject to change due to shifting transport priorities and long-term considerations such as the need to plan for the replacement of ageing Elm trees.

Major construction on the twin 9km tunnels and five new stations will commence next year once demolition and early works are completed, with the project to be completed by 2026.

View the draft development plans and have your say at: http://metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/planning/have-your-say/development-plans
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