Artist
James Voller

Client
T Projects and LXRP

Location
Williamstown Train Station, Vic

Year
2022

Medium
Archival photograph in perforated aluminium sheets

Fabricators and partners
Matter Visuals
Metrix
Arup Group
Denton Corker Marshall
Newport Railway Museum

Award
AILA VICTORIA National Landscape Architecture Award for Infrastructure

Collide led the concept development, fabrication, and installation of a striking public artwork for North Williamstown train station in Melbourne’s west. Commissioned by the Victorian Government as part of the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP), Yard Works pays homage to the area’s industrial history through an integrated design featuring a steam train, inspired by a historical model housed in the nearby Newport Railway Museum.

The project began with extensive engagement with train enthusiasts, the local community, and representatives from the Newport Railway Museum. This collaboration ensured the artwork reflected local heritage and resonated with the community. Collide worked closely with the LXRP team to identify which elements to include and meticulously photographed and designed the work to highlight the station’s unique identity.

All stages of the project—from ideation to fabrication and installation—were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring high adaptability and effective remote communication. Using Zoom, the team collaborated with senior architects, LXRP leadership, Metro Trains, and external consultants to address key challenges. High-definition renders created by Collide’s James Voller in collaboration with Ben Lamason of Matter Visuals enabled stakeholders to visualise the design’s materiality and scale, ensuring alignment on the final vision.

The selection and processing of images for the final design involved a rigorous approval process with LXRP stakeholders. Budget constraints and material considerations posed challenges, as alterations could significantly impact the artwork’s materiality, maintenance requirements, and visual impact. Collide’s team demonstrated exceptional negotiation and communication skills to advocate for the chosen materials and methods, maintaining the integrity of the concept while adhering to project constraints.

Using the Picperf process by Metrix, a specialist in architectural cladding, the artwork was transferred onto perforated aluminium sheets. This innovative technique used varying hole sizes to create an engaging and dynamic visual effect. Throughout fabrication, Collide ensured that no photographic detail was lost, and the transition from digital renderings to real-world scale upheld the original design intent. The construction crew working on the station completed the installation under Collide’s close guidance. This required precise coordination to maintain the high level of detail expected of an artwork within a broader infrastructure project.

The resulting installation celebrates the rich industrial history of Melbourne’s west while embedding art into the everyday life of the community. It transforms North Williamstown station into a space of connection and pride, where local heritage and modern design converge.