Bell Station and Preston Station are integral components of Victoria’s state-level crossing removal project. These two stations play a crucial role in the comprehensive redevelopment of the Melda Line railway, which eliminates four level crossings and creates a leisure community space equivalent to the size of three Melbourne cricket fields.
Developed in collaboration with Tract Consultants, the green space beneath the elevated railway features enhanced facilities and improved connectivity. This includes thoughtfully designed landscaping, gathering areas, and shared pathways that promote community engagement and accessibility.
The facade of Bell Station draws inspiration from the surrounding heritage-listed houses. The rooftop landscape of Darebin city has been abstracted into a three-dimensional concrete pattern, enlivening the facade with angled designs and colorful glass windows. These windows filter colored light into the station’s double-height hall, echoing the hues found in the nearby Darebin Art and Entertainment Center. This design reduces the need for artificial lighting within the station hall.
Bell Station also includes a public open-air theater that doubles as a flood reservoir. This dual-purpose space, adjacent to the Darebin Art and Entertainment Center, extends existing community assets into the station development, creating a vibrant and multifunctional environment.
Preston Station’s design is influenced by the nearby Preston Market. Its facade features a series of black vertical folds resembling the barcodes used by market vendors. These folds are filled with vibrant colors inspired by the market’s fresh produce, extending the market’s energy into the station’s interior.
The colored coverings continue into the station hall, where windows filter hues of light into the space, enriching the environment. Additionally, the design anticipates the future growth and development of Preston Market, ensuring the station remains adaptive and functional.
Throughout the project, color and form have been used as powerful tools to create a unique sense of place. The Melda Line is represented by a light purple logo, which is echoed in the pink and light purple pillars and distinctive lighting used as municipal markers. These vibrant colors stand out as unnatural elements within the built environment, enhancing the stations’ visibility.
The facades’ patterns, colorful cladding, and lighting transform the buildings into landmarks that celebrate the railway as a public asset. Both stations embrace environmental responsibility, meeting the highest standards of sustainability, including ISC compliance and 6-star green building certification for railway projects.
This project integrates urban design with municipal spaces, including green areas and native plantings, to foster an ecological network. The expanded facilities around and within the stations encourage user activity, which enhances safety through increased passive surveillance.
By opening previously blocked street pathways restricted by railway corridors, these public spaces improve accessibility and connectivity. Both Bell and Preston Stations incorporate Indigenous design elements to create meaningful and inclusive environments. Features such as chat circles in the surrounding landscape and patterns inspired by Indigenous art on the elevated railway screens and elevators promote cultural learning and community engagement.
The planning of both stations carefully considers operational efficiency. Bell Station’s design ensures the four corners of the building serve distinct functions, while maintaining an open, spacious station hall.
Preston Station’s staircases facilitate boarding and alighting at both ends of the platform, evenly distributing passenger flow between the platform and trains. Serving as municipal hubs for arrivals and departures, these stations connect local communities to the broader Melbourne region, providing safe and equitable access.
This project exemplifies how transportation infrastructure can be reimagined to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods and foster community integration.
Project Drawings
△ General Layout Plan
△ First Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ First Floor Plan
△ Section Diagram
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architect: Wood Marsh
Project Year: 2024
Photographer: Peter Bennett
Lead Architects: Wood Marsh
Location: Preston, Australia
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