Preserving Heritage Through Thoughtful Refurbishment

project team

Client | Queensland Rail

Architect | Solutions Positive Architecture

Shire | Brisbane City Council

landscape improvements for comfort and accessibility

Shorncliffe railway station stands proudly as the final stop along the picturesque Shorncliffe line in Brisbane, catering to the vibrant bayside suburbs nestled northeast of the CBD.

During the station’s refurbishment, utmost care was taken to preserve and elevate its existing charm, seamlessly blending any new landscape with its natural surroundings.

A defining feature of the site is its collection of majestic mature trees, which have long graced the station’s environment with their shade and beauty.

Given the station’s round-the-clock operation, ensuring safety was paramount in the design of its public spaces. This involved strategic measures such as maximizing visibility across all areas to facilitate casual monitoring and eliminating potential hiding spots.

Furthermore, the landscape enhancements encompassed the addition of more shade-providing trees in parking areas, lush greenery at ground level to enrich pedestrian zones, and upgrades to ensure seamless access to walkways.

Landscape to Enhance Infrastructure

Provision of a landscape to enhance the amenity of the proposed new station works including integration with the surrounding landscape context.

Appropriate in Scale and Composition

Consider human scale and how the landscape relates to people. This is achieved through careful consideration of landscape elements including any landscape built form and size of trees at maturity. 

Ensure safety measures to vehicular areas by ensuring clear sightlines for vehicles and pedestrians. Apply C.P.T.E.D. (crime prevention through environmental design) principles in the design of public areas.

Safety

Built Form

Soften built form through strategic selection and positioning of screen trees and shrubs. Enhance some views to built form while blocking others. Consider maturity of trees in relation to structures and future impacts likely to occur.   

Landscape Character

Consideration of the surrounding context is important when considering character. Landscape character can be reinforced through selection of finishes and species.