Australian and Swiss architects triumph with plan to build undulating roof over Melbourne landmark

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

A team of Australian and Swiss architects has won a competition to overhaul Melbourne's Flinders Street station – although a public vote picked a rival design.

A jury of architectural experts and celebrities, including the chef George Calombaris, picked the Hassell, Herzog & De Meuron plan from six shortlisted contenders.

The design envisages the station covered by a lengthy, undulating roof, yet still retaining its open-air feel. It includes a public art gallery, a marketplace and an amphitheatre on the waterfront that is open to the elements.

Denis Napthine, Victoria's premier, said the jury was unanimous in its decision, which it called a "beautiful and compelling integration of aspects of the original station design".

The jury, according to Napthine, felt "the proposal offers tremendous benefits to Victorians, connecting the city to the north with the river and Southbank while at the same time opening up views and access to the historic administration building.

"The design was judged to offer the best experience for rail travellers with a layout that was spacious, comfortable and easy to get around."

But in a "people's choice" poll of more than 19,000 people, a University of Melbourne team – Eduardo Velasquez, Manuel Pineda and Santiago Medina – came out on top.

The design evisaged by Eduardo Velasquez, Manuel Pineda and Santiago Medina.

The team, who all hail from Colombia, proposed creating rolling parkland on the station's roof.

It's unclear when the new Flinders Street station will be unveiled to the public; the state government has so far not allocated any funding to the project.