Architecture studios RSHP, Hassell, and WW+P Architects have collaborated to design five new stations for the Metro Tunnel rail network in Melbourne, focusing on creating vibrant, welcoming environments for commuters.
Scheduled to open fully in February 2026, the Metro Tunnel project in Melbourne is designed to alleviate congestion on the City Loop underground network by linking the Sunbury line in the west to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines in the southeast.
RSHP, Hassell and WW+P Architects have completed five stations for the Metro Tunnel in Melbourne
Each of the five stations designed by RSHP, Hassell, and WW+P Architects features a unique appearance at street level that is carefully integrated with its urban surroundings.
The design teams focused on drawing natural light deep into the stations, using vibrant structural features and sculptural lighting elements to create a more uplifting experience for passengers moving through the underground spaces.
The stations, including the glazed Parkville Station, were designed to let in natural light
“The main design goal was to craft a unique, distinctive, and timeless experience throughout the line, filled with daylight and expressive artificial lighting for all users of the metro,” stated RSHP senior design partner Ivan Harbour.
“Our approach celebrates both the raw, structural spaces and the technological systems that enable the metro to run,” he added.
“Human-scaled, precisely engineered and crafted elements are set against bold, exposed civil engineering features, resulting in flexible spaces that can accommodate future technological advances without compromising the spatial qualities achieved today.”
