Urban transport design series
State of the art stations. Driverless trains. Turn up and go service. The future of transport is here now on Metro North West – Australia’s first fully automated, fully-accessible rail system.
The new rail line in the city’s northwest is part of the largest public transport project the country has ever seen. In 2024, Sydney will have 31 stations and a 66-kilometre standalone metro line.
For this crucial first stage of Metro North West we designed eight new stations and precincts and upgraded five existing ones.
They’re places that make travel easier, safer and smarter – hallmarks of a world-class system. But they also add colour and life to their communities, with fresh spaces like plazas, parks and paths set around the striking new stations, drawing people into their orbit.
STATION DESIGN
Whether they’re elevated stations, cut and cover or open cut, the new stations and precincts along the Metro North West line can all be defined by their recognisable station canopies. This way the rail line is connected by an easily distinguished characteristic. Each type of station has a corresponding canopy design that’s scalable and adaptable, generous, safe, efficient, sustainable – and beautiful.
Metro North West is also recognisable by the brightly coloured ‘Light Line Social Square’ metropolitan-scale public art, which passengers can find in the architecture, landscape and engineering of the new stations. ‘Light Line Social Square’ is a collaboration between Hassell, artist Turpin Crawford Studio and McGregor Westlake Architecture.
Tallawong Station
Tallawong Station and precinct sits within the North West Growth Centre. Critically, it’s linked with approximately 4,400 new homes within the area.
The station and its interchange are positioned within the future town centre, while a series of bridges make it easy to get around. Commuter parking facilities, pedestrian routes and bicycle access have all been incorporated. A formal avenue and tree-lined streets within the precinct are strong connections to the Cumberland Plain woodland setting.
Rouse Hill Station
The introduction of Metro North West , with its new rail station and integrated bus and cycle network, will transform Rouse Hill into a regional hub.
The plazas surrounding the architecturally striking elevated station give the people of Rouse Hill and surrounding areas a new, high quality public space, with traffic ‘calmed’ to prioritise the safety of pedestrians. As a major traffic interchange, people can expect seamless transfers between rail, bus and other travel modes.
Kellyville Station
On the very edge of Sydney, Kellyville is part of the North West Growth Centre and its new commercial core. Accordingly, Kellyville and surrounds increasingly demands a transport interchange to seamlessly connect trains and buses and provide sufficient car parking for commuters.
The new, elevated Kellyville Station offers a safe, convenient and comfortable transport experience that will encourage people to choose the train over the car. More than that, the station forms the heart of a new precinct that’s designed to be a community hub, including social and art programs to bring people together.
Bella Vista Station
Bella Vista Station and surrounding precinct are the focal points of the area’s future growth corridor, as well as a significant urban renewal undertaking.
The station is an immediate landmark between an existing business park and a future commercial growth area. The station is ‘dual-loaded’ and the canopy design, entry sequence and concourse access all modified to accommodate its substantial interchange requirements, allowing people to approach the station from any direction.
The station precinct will include improved retail offerings, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and station access, and places to keep the area buzzing. A nearby parkland corridor has also been improved.
Norwest Station
Norwest Station and precinct are the critical missing pieces of the puzzle when it comes to servicing the local employment centre and the proposed high and medium residential area nearby.
By integrating with commercial development, making the area safer for pedestrians, providing simple access to all modes of transport and remaining flexible for future expansion, the new station underpins the renewal of the surrounding business park.
Hills Showground Station
People have been heading to the Castle Hill Showgrounds for over 130 years. The new Hills Showground Station establishes an integrated transport interchange and makes the Showgrounds easier to access than ever.
The station also services a mixed-use precinct to the north, employment areas to the west, and medium density residential proposed to the south. It takes into consideration intended future developments and significant growth. The revitalised station precinct adds to the area’s strong sense of local pride and identity.
Castle Hill Station
On the line between Showground and Cherrybrook stations, Castle Hill Station has revitalised Arthur Whitling Park. It was constructed using the ‘cut and cover’ method to make sure it was thoughtfully integrated into the park, which was rebuilt on top of it.
The design of the station entry ensures it is immediately part of the park setting, while making safety and security a priority. It will make it easier for people to travel between the park and the local commercial growth areas.
Cherrybrook Station
Cherrybrook Station services a largely residential area and is surrounded by Blue Gum High Forest. As part of Metro North West , the forest setting was extended, while our design for the station had to take into account this challenging topography, running tunnels and service buildings at both ends, and a large multi-level car park.
The station becomes a focal point of the community, with its entry providing space for community activities and the design minimising the impact of power lines. Walking and cycling paths connect to the surrounding streets and along the creek and bring the entire precinct together.
The station and precinct layout creates opportunities for future development and community integration.
CLIENT
CPB John Holland as part of Northwest Rapid Transit
LOCATION
Bidjigal, Dharug, Wallumettagal, and Cammeraygal Country
Sydney, Australia
STATUS
Completed
YEAR
2019
SCALE
8 new stations and precincts, 5 existing stations, depot, corridor parkland
COLLABORATORS
Turpin Crawford Studio, McGregor Westlake Architecture
DESIGN TEAM
Ross de la Motte, Geoff Crowe, Angus Bruce, Julieanne Boustead, Keith Allen, Chris Carr, Jason Hammond, Peter Monckton, Yee Woon Juen, Tom Withecombe, Michael Luders, Alex Chow, Alison Hortz, Esther Kay, Joe Li, Emma Townsend, Anthony Charlesworth, Ben Charlton, Carine Macleod, Bo Zhen, Phillip Meehan, Michael White, Mathew Watson, Andrew Ewington, Kutay Ozay, Shane Marshall, Catherine Zhuang
PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Syke, Brett Boardman, Ian Hobbs, Rusty Goat Media
CONTACT US
Isabel Tang
Media Relations
T +86 21 5456 3516
E itang@hassellstudio.com
Thomas Xu
Business Development Leader
T +86 21 5456 3525
E TXu@hassellstudio.com
See more Hassell urban transport projects.
