Architecture exhibition constructs new concepts for Newcastle’s former rail corridor

Tuesday, 1 November 2016

Dreams of urban transformation have inspired the University of Newcastle (UON)’s third-year Architecture program students to develop concepts for Newcastle’s former heavy rail corridor.

Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker

The students’ final project work will be exhibited to the public at Watt Space Gallery, and will present an alternative vision for the land.

The ‘Rail L-and exhibition’ opening, to be held on Wednesday 2 November at 6pm, will reveal student generated concepts in a 3.6 metre model of the city, developed as 48 connected and ambitious ideas for how this urban space may be transformed.

“The different uses and forms the students have established for the city are incredibly diverse, demonstrating an engagement with our local community and a commitment to its future,” said UON’s School of Architecture and Built Environment Lecturer, Chris Tucker.

“The creations within this exhibition include cultural kitchens, places to hire pets, bookbinders, places for our youth and the elderly, business hubs and networks, black box theatres, bird houses and bamboo centres to name just a few.”

“The capital of architectural thought is found through research such as this. It is the tangible substance that inspires and challenges the urban environments where we live and work. To that end, we hope the Newcastle public enjoys engaging with this work as much as the students have relished creating it.”

The University of Newcastle is also partnering with the NSW Government in this year’s Sustainable Design Competition. Students have been tasked with delivering a rigorous urban design strategy for light rail in Hunter Street, and providing an inspirational architectural response for a new light rail stop.

“We are excited to be partnering with the University of Newcastle to allow students to engage with one of our flagship projects that will transform Newcastle’s city centre,” said Michael Cassel, Program Director of the Newcastle Urban Transformation and Transport Program.

“We are interested to see what innovative design ideas the students have come up with”.

The group that presents the best design for a stop in the new light rail network will also be announced on Wednesday evening.


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