Axolotl announces the completion of the latest Level Cross Removal project in Victoria, an integrated art commission by Australian artist Catherine Woo at the Merinda Park Station.
The public artwork titled ‘Reflections’ was commissioned for the City of Casey by the South Eastern Program Alliance, composed of project partners Laing O’Rourke, Jacobs, and architects BKK, and delivered together with T Projects.
The artwork utilises the highly visible soffit on both station platforms to reflect a layer of the local area’s ecological history, and create a visually dynamic addition to the building that will, in turn, reflect the current life around it. Responding to the theme of geology, the intention is to echo the wetland that characterised the area before European settlement: a layer of its ecological past reflected onto the ceiling of the new building.
The design is based on the rippling patterns that occur on still water, which would have been a constant feature of the marshland: patterns created by water droplets, or the undulations created around moving reeds or trees that once flourished in the wetland.
In this way, the columns of the soffit become central to the arrangement of the design – the concentric circles emanating from where they meet the ceiling – merging the columns’ architectural reference to local vegetation with the intent of the artwork.
Reflection is key to the concept: the planar nature of the canopy accentuating the geological strata underneath and the rippling design reflect the waterscape that was once integral to the area. The sheen of the anodised aluminium recalls the surface of the former wetland, reflected on the soffit. The concept is also designed to reflect the present day, with the material responding to the movement and changing viewpoint of the pedestrians and commuters that use this civic space, creating a sense of welcome and interest for those that pass through, as visitors or commuters.
The success of Reflections is seen in the artwork's seemingly effortless ability to navigate around the complex layout of the architectural soffit with all the necessary station services integrated within.
The final design and layout of the artwork was aided by 3D surveys of the platforms and involved a comprehensive design development phase working with the artist and client to achieve the desired concept.
A complex artwork to execute, Reflections is created from 486 unique panels, all designed, engineered, and fabricated with the highest quality materials and technologies in order to achieve a longstanding artwork for the local patrons to enjoy.
Photography: Emma Cross
