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Flinders Street station design shortlist revealed Flinders Street station design shortlist revealed
(2 months later)
Telling someone you'll meet at the contemporary rooftop urban park is quite a leap from the fabled gathering point of the clocks of Flinders Street station. But that could be the reality for Melbournians, should the city's landmark station be revamped.Telling someone you'll meet at the contemporary rooftop urban park is quite a leap from the fabled gathering point of the clocks of Flinders Street station. But that could be the reality for Melbournians, should the city's landmark station be revamped.
The Victorian government has revealed six shortlisted designs for an overhaul of the station, inviting the public to vote for its favourite.The Victorian government has revealed six shortlisted designs for an overhaul of the station, inviting the public to vote for its favourite.
Most of the designs retain an element of the station's golden (in the right light) frontage, which was completed in 1909 and stages a daily scene of tourists and commuters navigating the steps beneath the row of clocks.Most of the designs retain an element of the station's golden (in the right light) frontage, which was completed in 1909 and stages a daily scene of tourists and commuters navigating the steps beneath the row of clocks.
The design competition piqued international architectural interest, with a joint Swiss and Melbourne team envisioning a series of long tubes encasing a new public art gallery and marketplace.The design competition piqued international architectural interest, with a joint Swiss and Melbourne team envisioning a series of long tubes encasing a new public art gallery and marketplace.
Another entry, from a team of Colombians, would place an urban park on the roof of the station, along with a glass atrium and, perhaps rather ambitiously given Melbourne's weather, a riverside beach.Another entry, from a team of Colombians, would place an urban park on the roof of the station, along with a glass atrium and, perhaps rather ambitiously given Melbourne's weather, a riverside beach.
Further designs have introduced new river terraces, restaurants and undulating roofs to the station, which has been accused of being drab and wasting its prime position, wedged up against the Yarra river and adjacent to Federation Square.Further designs have introduced new river terraces, restaurants and undulating roofs to the station, which has been accused of being drab and wasting its prime position, wedged up against the Yarra river and adjacent to Federation Square.
Tom Kvan, dean of architecture at Melbourne University, told Guardian Australia that Flinders Street was due for an overhaul.Tom Kvan, dean of architecture at Melbourne University, told Guardian Australia that Flinders Street was due for an overhaul.
"These designs explore the great potential of a terribly neglected opportunity on the riverfront," he said. "It's a constrained problem, with the need to service trains, so there's a good range of designs within those constraints."These designs explore the great potential of a terribly neglected opportunity on the riverfront," he said. "It's a constrained problem, with the need to service trains, so there's a good range of designs within those constraints.
"They transition away from the Victorian idea of the railway lines being a filthy, soot-laden place to one that recognises and celebrates this public asset.""They transition away from the Victorian idea of the railway lines being a filthy, soot-laden place to one that recognises and celebrates this public asset."
However, there are two rather large catches to the public vote. It won't count towards the final design decision, which will be picked by a jury of architects and "other experts", including Masterchef host George Calombaris.However, there are two rather large catches to the public vote. It won't count towards the final design decision, which will be picked by a jury of architects and "other experts", including Masterchef host George Calombaris.
Also, once a design is picked, it's unlikely that a new utopian vision for Flinders Street will arrive any time soon. The state government hasn't set aside money for the project, with premier Denis Napthine admitting that work may not start within the next decade.Also, once a design is picked, it's unlikely that a new utopian vision for Flinders Street will arrive any time soon. The state government hasn't set aside money for the project, with premier Denis Napthine admitting that work may not start within the next decade.
But Napthine had keen praise for the designs on Tuesday, stating: "All six of these fantastic designs re-imagine Flinders Street as more than just a station; they are visions for a whole new riverside precinct for Melbourne.But Napthine had keen praise for the designs on Tuesday, stating: "All six of these fantastic designs re-imagine Flinders Street as more than just a station; they are visions for a whole new riverside precinct for Melbourne.
"They are, each in their own way, bold statements that challenge us to think of Flinders Street as an integrated part of Melbourne and its surrounding areas, such as Federation Square, Southbank and the Arts Precinct.""They are, each in their own way, bold statements that challenge us to think of Flinders Street as an integrated part of Melbourne and its surrounding areas, such as Federation Square, Southbank and the Arts Precinct."
The "people's choice" and jury winners will be announced on 8 August.The "people's choice" and jury winners will be announced on 8 August.
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