More than 100 students from 14 schools across the ACT have participated in a design competition that requested design solutions for a future light rail station in Canberra.

Hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) ACT Chapter and the Capital Metro Agency, the Young Designers Light Rail Ideas Competition saw high-school students collaborate in small groups to develop light rail solutions that were particular to Canberra.

Working in groups of three to five, and with guidance from architecture students and graduates, the high school students conceptualised a range of designs inspired by the city’s natural and built environment and cultural history.

They were assessed by the jury on a range of categories including best station or light rail stop design, best connection to neighbourhood/community facilities and most innovative idea, with the jury awarding a first and second prize for each category.

A recurring theme among the entries was the inspiration of nature and this manifested in station location, design and material choices for the imagined buildings.

The best station or light rail stop design went to “Barking up the Right Tree” by Lyneham High School (below) who imagined a nature inspired space featuring locally sourced materials and recycled timber ticket booths. (Image: Capital Metro).

The best connection to neighbourhood/community facilities went to “Bringing the Outdoors in” by Telopea Park School - teleo2600 (above) who also used nature within the station’s interior and for wayfinding around the stations. (Image: Patrick Stein.)

The final prize awarded by the jury, the “most innovative design”, went to “It’s About Time” by Lyneham High - Leaps + Bounds who posited a light rail line cum social timeline solution. Their design would see each station decorated with a different theme, inspired by events that have occurred there.  

Best station or light rail stop design

  • First Prize: Barking up the Right Tree” by Lyneham High School – Crayons
  • Second Prize: Get in Touch” by St John Paul II Catholic College – Get in Touch

Best connection to neighbourhood/community facilities

  • First Prize: Bringing the Outdoors in” by Telopea Park School - teleo2600
  • Second Prize: “It’s About Time” by Lyneham High - Leaps + Bounds

Most innovative design

  • First Prize: “It’s About Time” by Lyneham High - Leaps + Bounds
  • Second Prize: “HexaPlex” by Daramalan / Merici College - Team Metro