Britomart - Exemplar
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Britomart is at the heart of Auckland's CBD, and comprises: a rail station terminus and concourse, interchange facilities for bus and ferry services, and a large pedestrian precinct area over undergrounded rail for future development. The station terminus has been built into a heritage building - formally the main post office - retaining heritage features. The railway facility is of modern design. Key success factors include:

  • Use of design competition (won by a joint venture: Mario Madayag JasMax)
  • Commitment to retain heritage character
  • Provision for multi-mode public transport options
  • Pedestrian priorities at PT interchange areas
  • Leadership determination to provide a quality experience for PT users

Britomart Station - front perspective

Above: 150 degree view of Britomart Station frontage onto Queen Elizabeth II Square. The square is mainly used as a bus interchange station and pedestrian accessway. Rail services enter the Britomart Station building from undergrounded tracks at the rear.
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Heritage Post Office facade (Rented offices above, station entrances and services ground floor level.) Pedestrian access from front, sides and rear. Ferry Building (restaurant & offices). This is another heritage building on the waterfront. Tourist and scheduled ferry services stop & start here. (Almost) weather-proof & wide walkway. This design is not perfect in bad rain/wind combinations. But effective much of the time. Bus interchange to most parts of Auckland Region. Both sides of the square are used for bus interchange, also in the streets around and behind Britomart Station. Blue Bus is Northern Busway Express service. Permeable street network to pedestrian precinct behind station. Narrow street with cobbled surface - used by buses and pedestrian. Permeable street network to pedestrian precinct behind station. Pedestrian access to Queen Street. Commuters for bus, ferry and rail pass along this pathway. Very busy.
Britomart Station - Interior Concourse

120 degree view of Britomart Station internal concourse on ground floor. Access to station platforms in mid centre rear. Perimeter of concourse contains small shops, ticketing & info booths. Cafe & restaurant services on floor, plus wide screen TVs.
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Retention, restoration and duplication of destroyed internal heritage features - especially ceiling detail, front doorways & stairways. Large airport style train timetable information. Large airport style train timetable information. High quality cafe and waiting facilities. Some say this is the best coffee in Auckland! High quality cafe and waiting facilities. Some say this is the best coffee in Auckland! Access via elevator to train platforms below ground & and via doors to bus platforms at rear. Access through doors to bus platforms at rear of station, and via elevator to train platforms below ground. Shops, boutiques & ticket and information booths at edge. Shops, boutiques & ticket and information booths at edge. Design feature providing visual link up and down from pedestrian concourse below ground. This links through to pedstrian link from Queen Elizabeth Square (above).
Britomart Station - railway platform area

100 degree view of Britomart Station rail platforms. Capable of accommodating 5 diesel powered trains - up to 6 carriages long. Venting facilities concealed in ceiling. Natural light facilities. Ultra-modern design.
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Natural light feature. Above ground appearance of small volcanic cones, glass centres permitting light to pass through. Nearest one (highlighted) covered with rippling water layer. Stainless steel netting allows diesel fumes to pass through to be extracted using exhaust system. Provides appearance of ceiling. Circular volcanic cone windows admit natural light from pedestrianised area above. Wide paved access to platforms - generous provision anticipating future growth in patronage. Cafe and snack facilities for those waiting at or near platforms. Platforms for five trains. Those shown are vintage deisels purchased from Perth which now has a modern electric system. We eagerly anticipate modernisation of Auckland's rolling stock now.
Britomart Station - rear perspective

150 degree view of rear of Britomart Station - panning left from CBD access street, across frontage of heritage building with active edge, across rear frontage of station (modern appearance), and to right more buildings lining enclosed pedestrian precinct above railway, through to waterfront and port.
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Example of heritage building preserved around this rear development precinct. Stainless steel net structure encasing exhaust discharge mechanism from train engines operating beneath this level. Stainless steel net structure encasing exhaust discharge mechanism from train engines operating beneath this level. Rear pedestrian access to station building interior, and taxi and car pick up and drop off area. These edges becoming activated now. Zoned active. Will ensure growing vibrancy in the area. Further bus stop areas primarily for services heading to the south and sotuyh-west of Auckland. Further bus stop areas primarily for services heading to the south and south-west of Auckland. High quality paving and street art in the form of the above ground volcanic cone contructions admitting natural light to the station below. Rear view of rebuilt post office building - these levels above ground floor for offices. Heritage features preserved on front elevation - but modern reconstruction at rear.

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Joel Cayford email: mailto:joelc@kiwilink.co.nz