Station preferences
Ng Joyce
1) Milsons Point Station
Milsons Point is the first major station bridging the northern side
with the city of Sydney, it has a quick responses to the development
of the metropolitan network as well as the urban design to the
surrounding infrastructures and the community. The history and the
closely connections to the Sydney Harbour Bridge not only generates
constraints, but at the same time I see them as opportunities for new
design. Although the station is in a relative smaller scale, it has
its own way of treatment dealing with circulation and layering. Both
geographical and organization of the station would be a really
interesting site to explore and redevelop.
2) Artarmon Station
Artarmon is the station which I have the most travel experiences in
these three choice of stations. The reason for choosing it because it
provides quite an unpleasant travel experience to me every time, and I
feel like there is an urge to redevelop the station. The organization
of the station layout is not up to date and could not be comparable to
other nearby stations like Chatswood, North Sydney, etc. The station
has limited road access between the two sides, the limited space in
the concourse would not support further growth of usage and any
upgrade of services. Congestion inside station is an obvious situation
during peak hours. With various disadvantages of the station, a lot of
new ideas could be generated to create a much better station, which
allow it to continue to serve.
Yan Min
1. Redfern: Redfern is quite a complex site. There are many important landmarks on the site such as: University of Sydney, Australia Technology Park, Carriage works, “the block” and etc. There are many possibilities for the train station to connect/expand to these significant sites. The first thing I noticed when I arrived the site was that the entrance Redfern station is quite congested where pedestrians, bikes and cars shares one road. (2 lanes for two ways traffic and walk way which is 2 – 2.5 metres.) On the other hand, by walking around the train station, it become clear to me the site has been separated by the railway line. On one side is University of Sydney, Carriage works and on the other side are commercial and residential areas. For me the challenge for next few weeks will be to understand the future development plans for City of Sydney council, Railcorp and University of Sydney future plan.
2. Artarmon: I am not very familiar with Artarmon station at the moment. However, after the presentation on week 9, I feel it would be interesting to relate Artarmon station to my case study – Stuttgart train station with the idea of “aesthetics of disappearance”. Since the two major issue of the site are lack of public space and separation between the commercial and residential areas. It would be interesting to create a new public space that covers the existing station reconnects two sides of the station and creates a gathering space for local residences and visitors. Given the distinctive topography of the site, I think one of the possibilities would be to create a distinctive entrance for both side of the station with the rest of the station hidden “underground”.
Sherwin X Zhou
In my view, in terms of the situation of artarmon station, I refer to
one question which is quite different from others. Why not to make it
more common and peaceful / Do we have to active it and make it
livelier? There are two nearby stations (chatswood and St leonards )
that are not far away from artarmon. The influence of commercial zone
in these two areas should satisfy the needs of artarmon. What we
really need to do is to increase the accessibility of station,
reorganize the surrounding landscape within the station itself, use
new material such as timber or steel to make longer span structure
which can give more space for passengers and etc. In short, to design
a new artarmon station that is more harmonious and peaceful is my
point.
Redfern Station
Redfern station is more complex than other twos. It has more tracks
which means more people flow and traffic pressure (both inner and
outside) need to organize. The other issue is to consider the
environment of this site especially to think about the security
problem which can become a quite unique and fun point to design this
project. How to decrease the ratio of crime in this district by help
of new transport building is a breakthrough for this station.
Ho Simon
1) Milsons Point Station:
Milsons Point is one of the significant station along the north shore and north line of Sydney Railway with its geographical location that the first station after crossing the Harbour Bridge. The features around the site such as waterfront, Harbour Bridge, gentle sloped landscape would provide glues in enhancing the experience in both travelling in train and station. The colourful historical background may also be another mighty generator for the new design. Apart from the station itself, opportunities to soften the strong edge formed by the railway cutting the district of Milsons point and Kirribilli would also be explored.
2) Redfern Station:
Redfern Station has the most complicated configuration among the three station as it has 10 above ground and 2 underground platforms. Redeveloping Redfern Station would be challenging. Even thought the complex site context would be the constrain but the at same time I see this would be another opportunity to generate a new type of station. Scale of the station would be relatively large compared with the options, there are potential of design in circulation pattern not only inside the station building itself but also to the existing surroundings.
Shaowen
My station preferences:
1. Milsons Point: The most striking feature of Milsons Point station
is the proximity to the harbour, the existing viaduct and freeway and
the steep topography leading to the water’s edge. These features are
the inherent design advantages of the site, and offer a great platform
to explore the condition of the water’s edge, water as infrastructure
and well as mediating the existing infrastructure, such as the viaduct
and harbour bridge, with the apartment buildings and houses that
dominate the suburb. My initial reaction to the site would be to
design a station that draws a clear profile in the landscape, uses the
viaduct in the structure, and merge with the landscape through a
series of landscaped open spaces. Creating multiple intersections and
meeting points, as well as design not only for commuters but for
tourists to take in the views would help to generate a new station
type.
2. Artarmon: Artarmon station, compared with Milsons Point and
Redfern stations, is more intimate, personal and subtle. While the
site is smaller and more contained than the other two, the challenge
of designing the station at Artarmon is negotiating the landscape to
work with/or be one with the built infrastructure, and developing the
station without losing the suburban character of the station. There is
great potential in opening up the station as an in-between transit
zone that harnesses the two sides of the station and relocating the
commercial street into the station. This conjures images of a
landscaped green roof where the station is not only a transit
building, but also a place to gather and play.
Shaowen
1. Artarmon Station
Out of the tree station Artarmon Station is the one that I am most
familiar, and has a personal connection to it. The existing station is
not very accessible, despite the fact that it cuts through the middle
of Artarmon, which does not allow good access between the two sides
with only very limited and tunnel access between two sides. There is
only one way to access Artarmon station and that is through the tunnel
and the stairs up to the platform, which often causes congestions
between the two sides, especially during peak hours. Compare to its
neighbouring station, Artarmon station it self is not as well
facilitated and is in urge for a renewal. It does not have an
Escalator, lift or disable access. Car parking and bus stops are also
very limited, which makes the majority of people accessing it are the
pedestrians. The main reason for choosing this station is because,
there is great potential for a much more beautiful and accessible
station to be built that acknowledges the surrounding landscape and
perhaps becoming the new centre for Artarmon.
2. Milsons Point Station
One interesting aspect that is associated with Milsons point station
is its extraordinary surrounding environment, such as the waterfront,
the harbour bridge and the sloped topography. This beautiful
environment can be a challenge to design on. Because the environment
is so attractive the idea is not to create something that out beats
the surrounding but to merge itself to the surrounding infrastructure
and the natural landscape in order to create a better whole. The
challenge and opportunity is to make good use of the waterfront and
also allows the existing infrastructure to work better. There are
great potential to make Milsons point station a well-circulated,
pleasurable and entertaining station that enhances the surrounding
tourists nodes.
Amahl Haradasa
Hi,
Still yet to decide which is my first preference as they are both considerably different in size, scale, program and complexity. Time to flip a coin.....
Artarmon
I perceive the train line as a barrier that separates the bush and parklands of the north from entwining with the med-high density residential to the south. Artarmon station is not an infrastructure hub like the adjacent St Leonards and Chatswood Station and should not be designed like one. The area has a high concentration of apartments and free standing houses which provides the possibility to create a park like station that is the interface for interaction and communication between the community. A potential facilitator to enliven a busy but lifeless town centre could be a new landscape strip and partial underground station. The nearby reserve to the south east could be integrated into the development by creating a landscaped sliver along the train line. The most challenging obstacle to overcome is the fall across the line from the south west to the north east. These connection points are crucial in the success of the development and would require carefully articulation.
Redfern
Although there is still some pockets with high crime rates, Redfern and the surrounding suburbs over the last 10-15 years has become a very trendy and lively inner city neighbourhood. This is due to its proximity to the city, university, cultural and industrial precincts, train station and various night life spots. The train line, I perceive is a scar that separates many of these enlivening characteristics. I believe the train line and station should act as a mediator that allows connections between these various functions. The industrial history of the area creates images of a train station with a strong structural aesthetic that pays homage to the past, or the industrial image can be juxtaposed with natural free flowing organic structures that bring the landscape back to heal the scar.
> Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 19:06:38 -0700
> Subject: Re: Station preferences
> From: shwnwa...@gmail.com
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SunZhenyang
David Z Sun's Preference:
1 Artarmon Station
Artarmon is divided into two parts by railway. The Artarmon station is the only place to connect them. Artarmon does not have some large shopping center and entertainment facilities for modern dwellers. The dweller must go to other zones to meet some their living needs. The rail will be their first public transport selection. Therefore, the station is very important for Artarmon
Now I have three sketchy ideas to design Artarmon Station. Firstly, the area of the station is the commercial area and public meeting place to connect West Artarmon and North Artarmon. However, it is broken by the road and the truck. I hope to use the station building to connect the area again. Secondly, there is a small plaza at the east side of the station. The plaza is very similar with 锟斤拷main street锟斤拷 (a character of traditional suburban which is a pedestrian street with small stories at sides). In the design, I hope I can apply the idea of 锟斤拷main street锟斤拷 and enlarge it. Thirdly, there are tiny parks and rest places at the sides of the truck. However, they are not used by dwellers. I hope I can use station building to link them and make passengers and dweller to use them.
2 Redfern Station
In Redfern, there are more landmarks and public buildings than other two. How to establish the connection between the station and landmarks and public buildings will be the most important issue for Redfern Station. I hope to apply walkway in air and underground to connect pedestrian lanes in Redfern and the station. Secondly, the crime radio of Redfern is higher than others. The security is more important for Redfern. I hope to establish several 24 hour commercial stories to service the station and the roads. I hope to use this way to watch Redfern. This will make passengers and dwellers feel safe. I also hope to apple lighting facilities to establish the boundary for the area of the station.
> Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 19:06:38 -0700
> Subject: Re: Station preferences
> From: shwnwa...@gmail.com
> To: trans...@googlegroups.com
>
>
> My station preferences:
>
> 1. Milsons Point: The most striking feature of Milsons Point station
> is the proximity to the harbour, the existing viaduct and freeway and
> the inherent design advantages of the site, and offer a great platform
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "<Transit Caf锟斤拷> ARCH7201-2011 Bridging Centre | Periphery?" group.
Kevin
an especially complex site. There are a few aspects and forces need to
be considered and weighted. First of all, connections between public
areas such as University of Sydney, Australian Technology Park and
Open spaces are quite week. The walk ways are not pedestrian
orientated and the public spaces are not serving in high efficiency.
For example, the Australian Technology Park is quite an exciting
place. But it is in a “dead end” which is difficult to attract people.
Secondly, although there are a few public spaces around the station,
it takes no advantage of the gathering spaces. Passengers leak out in
an unpleasant manner while no transit spaces are provided. The
surroundings of Redfern station are dynamic and attractive, the new
development proposal may function as a “hub” to merge and connect the
area. And more attention would be paid to pedestrian and cycling for
making it really work.
Differ to Redfern station, Milsons Point and Artarmon appear strong
characters to me which I would like to discover further in the next
steps.
1. Milsons Point
Before site visit, Josh provided me a statement:”Milsons Point is like
an island. Traffic flows and it is all about movement.”(Josh, 2011)
The site is really a busy one and few passenger pay attention to the
dramatic topography and magnificent views. The site has a few strong
characters such as landscape, connection to the water front,
opportunity to reconnect the separated land and heritage. In order to
vitalize the area, I propose two viable options. First, the station
“island” works as a “Hub” to hold all “boats” towards it. The other
one is setup a new “Hub” on the neighbor open space which can hold the
station, water front, separated land and public spaces together.
Considering the heritage harbor bridge, the second option seems more
persuasive for preserving the existing bridge footing. In my
imagination, the new hub would be a series “mega-terrace” which
connects all parts and direct people towards the great views and
waterfront. The new object would also active the stepped open space in
the west of the existing station.
2. Artarmon
Artarmon is a quiet site, which belongs to nature. This is the most
distinctive character of it. The wish of Artarmon residents is
maintaining it as a village. The station is on a “green belt”, but it
is now dividing Artarmon into two separated parts. The idea of “green
belt” should be a device to re-connect the two. The design solution
should be subtle and precise to the site while connect the two parts,
activate the area and provide gathering spaces. Moreover, the level of
connect should be controlled by considering the disturbing of
commercial to residential functions on the two sides.
Chenxi Qiu
Redfern Station
As we know, train station is a facility where trains regularly can load or unload passengers and goods. In the modern cities, it also plays a significant role for connecting other public transports as a whole system. That is why Redfern Station becomes to my first preference.
The most attractive feature of the Redfern Station is probably its location within railway system. It is directly joint to the Central Station and plays as a main transit facility for transporting passenger from south suburbs to the city center. However, according to the site visiting, the existing Redfern Station actually can not respond to its status in the railway system in terms of scale, program distribution and so on. So perhaps this is what I could work on in next stage. Secondly, the urban context makes the Redfern Station quite unique, such as Sydney University which brings numerous students going through the Redfern Station; the “Block” & Public housing district which increase certain social problems around Redfern Station, like crimes, drugs and discrimination; carriage workshop and other galleries by using recycled building, defining a new identity around station area. So how to translate these urban identities into train station design will become to my focused area in my following work.
Artarmon
Compared to the Redfern Station, Artarmon Station not only plays as a transit facility in railway system, but it obviously can be considered as the boundary between the north and south area, which are identified in different urban fabric patterns. So it offers the opportunity to create a new local identity for residents and visitors by integrating both sides, even though it is not an infrastructure hub; in addition, existing landscape to enrich people’s daily life along the train line could be another positive element for emphasizing the local status of Artarmon Station. It provides an interface in terms of people’s activities, program distributions in both sides of the station. The most challenging aspect to deal with is how to keep Artarmon Station with the local pace when developing.
Shaowen
1st: Redfern
To me this station has the greatest potential of being both a transit
hub and a non-generic train station that deals with complex context.
Macdonaldtown is my local train station so I am already quite familiar
with the site/surrounding land uses, and the poor accessibility and
circulation the station provides to a demanding and changing part of
the city.
The physical characteristics of the site are also quite exciting.
Unlike the other stations which sit up on a podium of sorts, the
station sinks down into a small valley (I agree with Amahl’s thoughts
on it being a scar). The section sinking is more interesting to me,
it also has an underground station, and you are also dealing with
conservative Australian values on heritage.
In short, the complexity in plan of the urban fabric + the complexity
in section makes it more interesting. ‘Bridge-city’ here we come?
2nd: Milsons Point
An incredible site for such a mediocre train station.
A couple of thoughts on the site and interventions… Firstly, if you
were to map wasted space as a generator for the design you could do a
pretty bold intervention into Lavender Bay and the underside of the
Harbour Bridge. Secondly, movement movement movement. Milsons Point
was understood as an island amongst streams of varying movement and
competing networks, and despite its location, has no real sense of
identity.
The concern is that whatever added will be instantly relative to the
existing presence of the viaduct… A great station for infrastructure/
architecture/+landscape intervention in the context of the city.
On May 12, 11:08 pm, Chenxi Qiu <qiuchen...@gmail.com> wrote:
> *Redfern Station*
> As we know, train station is a facility where trains regularly can load or
> unload passengers and goods. In the modern cities, it also plays a
> significant role for connecting other public transports as a whole system.
> That is why Redfern Station becomes to my first preference.
>
> The most attractive feature of the Redfern Station is probably its location
> within railway system. It is directly joint to the Central Station and plays
> as a main transit facility for transporting passenger from south suburbs to
> the city center. However, according to the site visiting, the existing
> Redfern Station actually can not respond to its status in the railway system
> in terms of scale, program distribution and so on. So perhaps this is what I
> could work on in next stage. Secondly, the urban context makes the Redfern
> Station quite unique, such as Sydney University which brings numerous
> students going through the Redfern Station; the “Block” & Public housing
> district which increase certain social problems around Redfern Station, like
> crimes, drugs and discrimination; carriage workshop and other galleries by
> using recycled building, defining a new identity around station area. So how
> to translate these urban identities into train station design will become to
> my focused area in my following work.
>