The Springfield Central Park ‘n’ Ride has received worldwide recognition in the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Global Best Project Awards.
This year, US magazine ENR honoured 31 winning projects from 23 countries in the awards.
The awards panel selected the winners based on quality, innovation and safety, teamwork, collaboration, and benefits to local communities.
Springfield Central Park ‘n’ Ride received the Award of Merit in the Rail/Transit category, receiving commendation for its maximal use of its triangular space.
The project was designed by GHD Design and GHD for the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), with ADCO as the construction contractor.
Bowen Lahdensuo, an architect at GHD Design, said the goal was not to create an ordinary parking structure.
“The Springfield Central Park ’n’ Ride seeks to elevate the everyday,” Bowen said.
The facility responds to the site conditions with a triangular form and innovative double-helix ramp design, Bowen explained.
“The distinctive building creates a striking visual impression on the skyline.
“[It functions] as an urban wayfinding marker at the highway entrance to the Greater Springfield area.”
Structural considerations
The design of the parking structure is based on circular economy design principles, according to GHD Design.
The rigorously tested double-helix ramp maximises the efficiency of vehicle circulation and the floor plate uses the most efficient layout per square metre.
It enables future adaptation, therefore the embodied carbon is able to be held over a longer building lifespan.
The structure and parking layout can be adapted for retail and commercial purposes in a staged fashion.
Provision for future electric vehicle charging has been included to aid the transition away from fossil fuels.
This award for Springfield Central Park ‘n’ Ride follows its recognition earlier this year in the Queensland Major Contractors Association awards.
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