Honestly, I'm not sure how one is supposed to wind up in a long-term relationship without having some degree of friendship at first. If you want to be close with someone, getting to know them and interacting with them on a regular basis seems like the best way to go about it.
Granted, maybe that explains my complete lack of relationships. 
Indeed, you don't launch from 'hey' to 'girlfrand' in 2.5 seconds. But a bit of flirting doesn't go astray, otherwise you may not register on her radar as someone with potential for her. Admittedly, if you like her, and she likes you, in my experience things will usually somehow end up at a relationship from there.
unless you're <---- this guy.
you can not assign it the term if you want, but the "friend zone," being the condition where one or both parties shy away from a relationship for fear of maybe damaging a long-standing friendship, DOES exist. and ironically enough (in my sample size of one), this is more damaging than a failed relationship would be. unless it REALLY crashed and burned somehow.
what i'm saying is, in hindsight, the best plan IMO is to sack up and tell her soon-ish after becoming friends. don't have to act on it right away, but it needs to be clear you're interested. if you think it's unpleasant now, you DON'T want to be me in 5 years.
goddamnit now i'm in for a depressing night of dwelling on mistakes and wishful thinking.