Genton’s design for Pakenham Station redefines transport infrastructure as a civic landmark, blending cutting-edge digital fabrication with urban renewal. Located in Melbourne’s southeast, the elevated station eliminates three level crossings while introducing over 20,000 square metres of new public space, transforming a once-divided suburb into a thriving, interconnected precinct.

At the heart of the design is an expansive, wave-like canopy, crafted using digitally fabricated reinforced thermoset. This eliminates the need for excessive steel and aluminium, reducing embodied carbon. The station’s radical openness removes traditional walls, ensuring unobstructed views, enhanced safety, and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape.

Beyond functionality, Pakenham Station celebrates Indigenous co-design, with architectural elements referencing local cultural narratives, such as the wings of Bunjil, the wedge-tailed eagle. The Bunjil feather pattern is engraved into the GRC, creating a tangible, tactile experience that allows people to physically interact with the Indigenous storytelling embedded into the station.

A 2km long civil retaining wall between East Pakenham & Pakenham Station creates A linear journey along the Shared Use Path. The eel trap motif references the traditional land use practices of the Bunurong people, showcasing how First Nations communities historically engaged with the landscape.

The project’s emphasis on transparency, sustainability, and public connectivity positions it as a benchmark for future rail infrastructure, proving that transport hubs can be both highly functional and deeply embedded in the cultural and environmental fabric of their communities.

Photography by Peter Clarke