Springfield Central Station Park ‘n’ Ride - efficient, sculptural and designed for adaptation
At a glance
The innovative design responds to a constricted triangular site, delivering a carpark that employs three regular wings around a double-helix ramp, with sufficient height for later conversion to other uses.
The challenge
A shortfall of parking in the Springfield area led to increased road congestion and unsafe parking practices.
Queensland Rail wanted to increase the total capacity of commuter carparking around Springfield Central train station to improve safety and connectivity for customers and encourage public transport use.
The preferred site for the carpark presented as an inaccessible triangle bound by the Centenary highway, highway offramp, and Springfield Greenbank Arterial meaning complex access issues needed resolution.
With forthcoming roadworks planned on all three sides of the site, adaptable entry and exit strategies had to consider existing and future conditions.
Our response
Initially tendered as an engineering project, our integrated architecture and engineering design team saw the opportunity to develop a design-led response that would deliver efficiency, an enhanced user experience, and sustainability beyond the rectilinear box typical for multi-storey parking facilities.
We explored multiple site options and building forms with TMR, which led to us selecting an underutilised, compact, and constrained triangular site between three major roads, based on its ability to serve as an urban wayfinding marker within the landscape, its proximity to the train station and surrounding areas, and its accessibility through existing and future road and pedestrian networks.
The sculptural triangular form of the building utilises the available site area and takes inspiration from the natural, built and planned environment.
It wraps around a central void incorporating a double helix ramp, with one spiral lane ascending and the other descending, maximising the circulation efficiency of vehicles. Level floor plates utilise the most efficient layout per square metre with double-loaded circulation around the outer edge of the site. The central void allows natural light and ventilation to the floor plate while reducing the amount of building material.
Based on circular economy design principles, we designed the structure with increased floor-to-floors to future-proof the asset and enable later adaptive reuse by TMR.
We have addressed access issues by creating adaptable entry and exit strategies from the existing roundabout, which will become a signalised intersection and a bidirectional double-lane exit.
The façade, comprised of anodised aluminium purlins, provides shading during the day and light spill mitigation during the evening while adding colour, depth, and interest. The Z-shaped purlins also assist with wayfinding by creating vectors within the façade, directing commuters to the car park entry. Traditionally used as roofing and cladding support, the cost-effective purlins were simple to install and provided a robust, low-maintenance solution. They also include anti-vandalism, safety and self-harm prevention features as part of the overall facade system design. The aluminium facade is fully recyclable.
The building is designed to include the requirements of the DSAPT act and has been through a rigorous safety-in-design process, including CPTED assessment.
The impact
The new multi-storey park ‘n’ ride carpark facility brings the total number of carparks around the Springfield Central station precinct to around 1100.
The building integrates into the adjacent traffic environment, improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, making it easier for commuters to access public transport.
The project demonstrates how good design can deliver positive social, environmental, and economic value within a constrained budget and setting.
The double-helix internal circulation ramp incorporates an impressive aesthetic, making this building more than just a functional carpark.