Designing a modern building with services and lighting that pay respect to the heritage of this tourist area

At a Glance

  • $20M

    Project Value

Location
Dandenong Ranges, Victoria
Offices
Client
  • Puffing Billy Railway
Architect
Terroir
Award
2022 International Architecture Awards: Best New International Architecture
Image Credit (1&2)
Peter Bennetts

Puffing Billy Railway - Lakeside Discovery Centre

Located on the border of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Puffing Billy is one of Melbourne’s premier tourist destinations. Our client, Puffing Billy Railway, was looking to design a new visitor hub in the Emerald Park Lake railway precinct to reinforce Puffing Billy as a key visitor destination for tourists.

Stantec was engaged to work closely with the architects and client to achieve a unified design full of meaning and storytelling. A respect for heritage played an important role while designing services for the main areas of the Lakeside Discovery Centre. Our modern and robust lighting design includes fixtures that resemble heritage gas lamps and café lighting with an industrial touch. At the great hall and throughout the corridors, bespoke luminaire clusters keep the ceiling free of fittings by concentrating spotlights within the suspended structures. The clusters were inspired by tram tracks and crossing traffic lights that we designed in three sizes to accommodate varying ceiling heights throughout the building.

Despite the interruptions and uncertainty of COVID-19, Stage 1 construction works including the main building were completed. The new visitor hub will enhance user experience with new amenities, services, and entertainment that support an increase in the number of rail journeys.

At a Glance

  • $20M

    Project Value

Location
Dandenong Ranges, Victoria
Offices
Client
  • Puffing Billy Railway
Architect
Terroir
Award
2022 International Architecture Awards: Best New International Architecture
Image Credit (1&2)
Peter Bennetts

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