Como Station Upgrade
Como Station is in a bucolic location—on a hilltop surrounded by bushland overlooking the Georges River. Upgrading the station to be accessible, sustainable, safe and welcoming while improving connection to the leafy suburban context was a key challenge.
Our team provided integrated urban design, architecture and landscape design services for the upgrade, which includes two new lifts, a new stair, ramp, platform canopy, signage, lighting, accessible bathrooms and improved public domain.
Awards
- 2022 Winner, Clean Technology Award, Banksia National Sustainability Awards
- 2022 Winner, Successful Places, Transport for NSW
Como Station sets a benchmark in innovation for rail infrastructure. The station is now powered with solar energy via an innovative Solar Photovoltaic Glass canopy, a first on any NSW rail network. It is an example of providing an upgrade that is highly functional, architecturally pleasing, innovative and has a sense of place within the community while delivering long-term benefits.
Judges Citation, Successful Places Award, Transport for NSW
Light, views and the natural landscape are celebrated through a range of design features: a light well draws light into the underground lift lobby which is further enhanced by reflective perforated metal cladding; new stairs capture panoramic views across the area and connect with the natural topography; existing sandstone on the site is expressed; and native plants in the landscaping form a seamless connection with the adjacent bush land.
A row of single skin glass solar photovoltaic panels on the new platform canopy roof generates clean energy for the station while still allowing natural light to filter down into the underpass.
Interpretation of railway heritage and Aboriginal stories of the place are important components of the design. A concrete retaining wall beside an entry ramp is transformed into a canvas, with historic photographs of the station imprinted as a three-dimensional texture into the concrete. Artwork by local Aboriginal artist Merindah Funnell adorns both sides of the underpass.
Insight
Byron Bay a Winner!
Byron Bay Transport Interchange received two Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Awards 2022.
Insight
Infrastructure and Urban Design
‘Infrastructure’ conjures images of transport systems and highways, water and electric distribution networks, tunnels and bridges: mega feats of engineering that make modern life possible. These engineered projects often lurk just out of consciousness in our day-to-day urban existence; that is, until something goes wrong, immediately thrusting our reliance on the infrastructure in question into focus.
Insight
A Fine Balance—Transport and Infrastructure Projects
Transport infrastructure projects change lives. Yet they are complex to get right, requiring a balance of technical requirements with considerations such as heritage, accessibility, bushfire, landscape, urban and local community contexts.
Transport
Better and more connections, in a travel experience that is enjoyable and humanising, is the hallmark of great transport systems.
Insight
Getting to Know Paul Wallace
Paul Wallace is an Architect and Principal at DesignInc Sydney. We met up with Paul to discuss architecture, design, travel, vinyl and classic cars.
Landscape
Landscape embodies the spirit of life; it links with our aim to create places that are beneficial for people’s health and wellbeing.
