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Designed by Wood Marsh, Keon Park Station combines functionality and aesthetics, while considering sustainability. The innovative tile pattern, developed by Wood Marsh, required precise arrangements, which KLAY provided to meet their specific requirements. To facilitate the architect’s vision, tiling contractor Ceramic Solutions ensured seamless execution.

Keon Park railway station, located in the northern suburb of Reservoir, Melbourne, is part of the Mernda line. It is an elevated premium station with an island platform. In 2021, the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) announced plans to grade-separate the level crossing by 2025, with the railway line elevated over the road and the station to be rebuilt.

On 30 April 2024, the Keon Parade level crossing was removed, and the Mernda-bound train bridge opened fully on 8 May 2024. The new, modern Keon Park Station, located on the southern side of Keon Parade, opened on 21 June 2024, offering improved access to local areas, public transport, and amenities.

A prominent objective of this build was to provide a high-quality design outcome that makes a positive contribution to the local area through a well-considered concept, construction detail and execution. Sustainability was a core part of the station building design, functionality and energy use, and integrated early in the design development. High quality integral finishes were preferred wherever possible for longevity and low maintenance.

The German-made Chroma Tiles with a Hytect® finish made by 260 year old manufacturer Agrob Buchtal has an impressive list of attributes that are particularly useful in civic infrastructure projects such as railway stations. This proprietary Hytect® technology transforms ceramic tiles into self-cleaning and air-purifying wonders that can substantially reduce long-term maintenance costs for building with no conditional warranties.

In these settings, the demands on building materials are high. Architects and Engineers need to specify materials with performance characteristics which typically include materials which…

• won’t scratch, buckle or fade
• offer very high-impact resistance
• are graffiti-resistant and easy to clean

See our article Graffiti versus Ceramic facade panel – Who wins?

Thanks to Hytect®, Agrob Buchtal’s Chroma tiles excel in all aspects mentioned above. At its core Hytect® utilizes titanium dioxide, a natural compound activated by sunlight or artificial light, to enhance the surface of Agrob Buchtal ceramics. During the firing process, titanium dioxide is fused into the ceramic, triggering a chain reaction when exposed to light. This reaction produces reactive oxygen species that break down organic pollutants and microbes, such as algae, mould, and bacteria, as well as pollutants like nitric oxides and volatile organic compounds. Additionally, Hytect® creates a hydrophilic surface that causes water to spread evenly, making it easier to wash away debris, graffiti, and residue during rain or cleaning, without damaging the finish. Read more here.

These “self-cleaning” effects of Hytect® Surface Coating keep surfaces cleaner for longer periods without requiring extensive scrubbing or harsh chemicals. Tiles with Hytect offers substantial value by reducing cleaning frequencies and expenditures on chemicals and labour over the long term. The Hytect® surface coating technology strengthens the ceramic material matrix, improves abrasion resistance, and shields colour pigments from fading due to sunlight exposure.

Consequently, Hytect® tiles and panels often endure for several decades without any signs of degradation, outperforming traditional cementitious finishes or terrazzo. Beyond the financial returns, this longevity enhances occupant well-being by preventing construction disruptions and eliminating concerns about replacing failing materials in the future, making Hytect® tiles and panels favourable for use in infrastructure projects, such as;

Narre Warren Station

Deer Park Station

Coburg & Moreland Railway Station