Architect Mark van den Enden is passionate about designing spaces that improve people's lives, whether it be making their commute to work easier, fostering a sense of community, or creating buildings that help children learn to read.

Van den Enden is the principal of rail and infrastructure projects with Architectus, which has been appointed to work with UK rail design experts Foster + Partners to design six of seven new Sydney underground stations for Sydney Metro, considered one of the most transformative New South Wales projects since the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Phase 2 of Sydney Metro, which Architectus will be working on, includes 30 kilometres of new rail line under Sydney Harbour and into new CBD stations. 

How did you decide to become an architect? 

I have three university degrees; landscape architecture, urban design, and an architecture degree. My decision to focus on architecture was because you have the opportunity to shape cities and environments more so than in landscape architecture or urban design, and being able to contribute to the life of a community, city, or country. That is something that I feel really passionate about.

Have you always worked in infrastructure architecture?

I have a particular interest in complex projects, so infrastructure is a good fit for me. Ultimately, I love working on projects that have an impact on people’s lives, so I’ve done a lot of schools, libraries and transport buildings. It might not seem like a big deal, but having a profound impact can be as simple as helping people get to work each day and designing the journey to be as seamless and enjoyable as possible, or it can be creating places for people to learn and knowing that something I have helped build has created a space where a child could learn to read.

Architectus, along with UK rail design company Foster + Partners, has been appointed designer of six new underground stations in Sydney as part of Sydney Metro. Can you tell us a bit more about that major project?

This project is going to be one of the most significant city-shaping projects in Sydney’s history, and Architectus is really excited to be working in collaboration with global architecture firm Foster + Partners and with the METRON consortium, jointly led by Arcadis and Mott MacDonald, on such a landmark project. The new underground stations unlock capacity in the network and ensure that the flow of people can function more effectively.

How will the project change Sydney?

Sydney Metro will profoundly change the way people in Sydney travel. There will be ultimate capacity for a metro train every two minutes in each direction under the city – a level of service never before seen in Sydney. Not only that, but the new stations provide an opportunity for precinct development, creating new communities  that are truly able to thrive, while meeting the expectations of a growing city.

I understand you will consult with ‘human factors experts’ and psychologists to help with the design of the stations. How can those professions help you?

With a project like this, it’s imperative to understand the commuter journey as best as possible. We’re working with a number of specialists across a range of disciplines to better understand Metro users and how they will engage with the transport system at all points along the journey

Where do you live now, and where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?

Right now, I live in Northcote, Melbourne and I’m pretty content. There is a real sense of community in our area and my wife and I have really connected with that, especially as our boys play sports in some of the local teams. As long as I’m doing something I’m really passionate about, where I live doesn’t matter.  

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