‘yardmasters building’ by mcbride charles ryan in melbourne, australia all images courtesy mcbride charles ryan

australian architecture studio mcbride charles ryan has designed ‘yardmasters building’, a slim rectangular building that houses the operational offices of melbourne’s southern cross railway station. nestled in between a multitude of outbound and inbound tracks, the design stands intentionally in contrast with its industrious environment.

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building

the result of an extensive study and consultation with its users and their representatives, the design process put its primary precedence in a successful organization and layout of programs: simple in circulation, the building accommodates the majority of its offices on the second and third floor, locker rooms and a gym on the first, and facilities for maintenance and cleaning on the ground level.

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building west elevation

wrapped in a jewel-like shell, the exterior facade features a repeating pattern finished in a metallic material with a light sheen. jagged slices from this template results in a collection of windows that provide appropriate views and sunlight into the interior. with time, the exterior surfaces will rust and discolor to gradually reflect its site.  

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building (left) north elevation (right) facade detail

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building window detail

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building (left) perspective view (right) south elevation

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building interior view

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building cafeteria on third floor

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building renderings of day and night scenarios

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building construction

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building site plan

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building floor plan / level 0

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building floor plan / level +1

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building floor plan / level+2

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building floor plan / level +3

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building east elevation

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building west elevation

mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building (left) north elevation (right) south elevation