Turrbal and Jagera People
Queensland
Brisbane
Exhibition station’s striking transformation forms a key link within Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project, designed to unlock city-wide connectivity as Brisbane gears up for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Currently open during major events only, the reinvented station will soon provide daily, accessible service to the growing Bowen Hills and Showgrounds precinct, becoming a new civic landmark. Inspired by the historic John MacDonald Stand, the station’s contemporary architecture blends heritage features with inviting, sun-lit platforms, beautiful canopy structures, and enhanced public spaces. Innovative environmental initiatives are at the heart of the project, with design strategies to minimise construction waste, boost green cover, and harness natural light and ventilation. Exhibition station not only improves how Brisbane moves but also sets the benchmark for sustainable, people-focused infrastructure in Australia, supporting a connected, vibrant, and resilient communities now and well into the future.
Exhibition Station marks the first opening of Brisbane’s long-awaited Cross River Rail. The station presents a cohesive and contextually responsive design that significantly improves connectivity through the Brisbane Showgrounds to Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, Herston and Victoria Park. A restrained material palette, including brickwork responding to the surrounding heritage context, supports a highly efficient, user-friendly and low-maintenance station environment, underpinned by accessibility and sustainability principles. Exhibition Station is an important new civic connection for the city.
Commendation for Public Architecture
Exhibition Station marks the first opening of Brisbane’s long-awaited Cross River Rail. The station presents a cohesive and contextually responsive design that significantly improves connectivity through the Brisbane Showgrounds to Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, Herston and Victoria Park. A restrained material palette, including brickwork responding to the surrounding heritage context, supports a highly efficient, user-friendly and low-maintenance station environment, underpinned by accessibility and sustainability principles. Exhibition Station is an important new civic connection for the city.
Sustainability shortlist
The design benefits of the new Exhibition station speak for themselves. You only had to watch the excited families streaming down the stairs from the island platform and into the Ekka last year to see what a significant impact it has made. The massive glass and steel canopy over the island platform provides both shade and a new landmark for the Brisbane Showgrounds precinct. Meanwhile, the deliberate aesthetic choices for the station pay homage to the precinct’s rich history and cultural value. Well done Hassell for designing an iconic station fit for an iconic Brisbane precinct.
Tanya Golitschenko, Design Architect
John-Paul Davies, Project Architect
Kevin Lloyd, Design Director
Mimi Cho, Project Architect
Shane Furlonger, BIM Manager
Peter Rouhliadeff, Project Architect
Zoe Kudeborg, Project Architect
Joanna Newton, Project Architect
Natalie Smart, Project Architect
Ryan Martin, Technician
Shakiba Bagheri, Technician
Abigail Humphries, Graduate of Architecture
Steve Foro, Technician
Keith Allen, Design Architect
David Gowty, Senior Designer
Joe Ferrente, Technician
Katie Devitt, Project Architect
Geoff Crowe, Designer
Fran Power, Technician
Clayton Bray, Project Architect
Peter Morris, Designer
Natalie Busch, Landscape Architect (4771 AILA)
Jill Turpin, Landscape Architect (1641 AILA)
Sarah Gaikhorst, Technician
Tanya Walsh, Interior Designer
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Acoustic Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), AV Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Building Surveyor
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Civil Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Electrical Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Engineer
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), ESD Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Heritage Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Hydraulic Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Lighting Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Services Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Structural Engineer
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Quantity Surveyor
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Durabilty consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Human Factors Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Pedestrian Modeller
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Security (Physical and Cyber) Consultant
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Geotechnical Engineer
UNITY Alliance (AECOM / JACOBS / UGL), Rail Systems Engineer
Omnii, Fire Engineer
Knisco, BCA / DDA consultants
Dot Dash Wayfinding, Signage and Wayfinding Consultant
SCL Spec, Architectural Specification
Hassell, Landscape Consultant
Hassell, Interior Designer