Auckland Transport Media Release May 30, 2011

Newmarket train station judged one of the country's best new buildings

Newmarket's popular train station has been judged one of the country's best new buildings.

The building, which opened in January 2010, has won an award in the Urban Design category at the prestigious annual New Zealand Institute of Architects awards ceremony.

Newmarket train station is the second busiest on Auckland's rail network. Around 3,500 people catch the train to or from Newmarket on a daily basis. The station's focal point is a 1,000m2 concourse, constructed 5m above the tracks. Customers converge from four entrances to access the escalators, lifts or stairs to the four 180m long platforms below.

Auckland Transport Chief Executive Dr David Warburton says; "The vision for the station was to develop a truly world class 21st century passenger transport facility and create an attractive addition to the urban environment. "The result is a functional, airy, user friendly, accessible, appropriate open space.

"It is hard not to be impressed by the attention to detail with the design and conception, from the open spaces of the concourse to the innovative light box at the Remuera Road entrance.

"Providing good well-designed facilities is a key element to attracting more people to use public transport.

"Twenty-eight new and upgraded stations opened in recent years, including major stations at Newmarket and Grafton. A further 15 are likely to be upgraded in a $38.9 million project over the next three years," says Dr Warburton.

The NZ Institute of Architects awards judges said: "On a technically demanding site, the architects have skilfully handled the programme to produce an urban room that uplifts the journey for the city rail users.

The award goes to Opus Architecture and Herriot +Melhuish:Architecture .

Newmarket's rail station is the city's second busiest after Britomart and is a key junction in Auckland's rail network. It replaced the old station, which closed in January 2008, to allow for both track realignment and construction of a large, modern station. The two-year rebuild required major works in a tightly confined and busy space.

ENDS

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