Sweeping circular swimming centre to provide "new form of social space"

– Andrew Cortese
A radical ring-shaped aquatic centre with wellness facilities and outdoor green space – designed by Andrew Burges Architects, Grimshaw Architects and McGregor Coxall – is to be built in Parramatta, Australia.
The centre, which will be nestled into parkland surroundings and cover a total area of approximately 18,000sq ft (1,670sq m), will feature a 10-lane, 50m outdoor pool, a 25m indoor pool and facilities for individuals learning to swim, as well as a café, a fitness centre and single-level accessible entry and pathways. Outdoor public spaces will include decking, green areas and trees providing shade.
The ring shape has been incorporated as a key feature, a City of Parramatta Council spokesperson tells CLAD, acting as a barrier to help deflect noise from the nearby road and rail networks away from the main pool halls. In addition, the wellness and fitness centre has been strategically positioned inside the building to provide further sound insulation.
The shape will also minimise the area that the centre takes up, provide a large recreational space on the rooftop of the building and help with its sensitive integration into the setting. This takes into account the local heritage, topography and other constraints, having been informed by an “extensive community consultation”. A large proportion of the centre will be sunk into the hill on which it will be built, helping to ensure the impact on views of the heritage-listed park is minimised.
Discussing the design, Grimshaw managing partner Andrew Cortese said: “The aquatic and leisure centre offers a rare opportunity to consider a new form of social space for Parramatta, the simple joys of swimming and playing, and gathering with family and friends. Our vision for the contemporary facility strikes a balance in providing for the needs of a growing a diverse community within a World Heritage-listed parkland setting.”
In addition to offering learning to swim programmes and hosting swimming training and competitions, the facility will provide a place to relax and stay cool during hot weather. More than a million visitors are expected to use the facility every year.
The concept was chosen from a shortlist of four following a design competition and is aimed at meeting the current and future needs of the city’s fast-growing population. Further detailed design work will now take place in advance of a planned development application in 2020. The centre is expected to open to the public in 2023.
fitness wellness swimming swimming centre aquatic centre Parramatta Australia Andrew Burges Architects Grimshaw Architects McGregor Coxall




MAD Arkitekter nature town celebrates the beautiful landscape of Martineåsen

Pierattelli Architetture proposes new football stadium for ACF Fiorentina

Snøhetta's Xingtai Grand Theater provides a cultural cornerstone in Hebei Province

Hilton's Higgins Hotel New Orleans tells the story of World War II

Funding approved for LMN Architects-designed shark pavilion at Seattle Aquarium

Woods Bagot to create international food and wine destination in Adelaide

JKMM Architects to design new annexe for National Museum of Finland

MVRDV to return Seoul waterfront to nature as public park

Hall Arts Hotel, designed by HKS Architects and Bentel & Bentel, opens in Dallas

OPEN Architecture's Chapel of Sound valley amphitheatre tops out

Hou de Sousa create "kaleidoscopic beacon" for New York plaza

Petr Pelčák's Hard Rock Prague to feature light wall, spa and rooftop bar

Snøhetta's new public garden at 550 Madison to be "green oasis"

BarberMcMurry offer green-roofed, terracotta-screened and treehouse options for Knoxville Science Museum

Tham & Videgård's +One Tower looks almost matchstick-built

Concept artwork revealed for "one of the most ambitious theme park projects ever in Europe"

Bertil Harström and Johan Krauppi create floating hotel and spa

Civic Architects' LocHal Public Library named World Building of the Year at World Architecture Festival

Exhibitions begin at Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Centre

BIG and Mecanoo win at INSIDE World Festival of Interiors

State Library Victoria reopens after Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Architectus revamp

Mixed-use, community and culture recognised at World Architecture Festival day two

Studio Fuksas celebrate square's ancient history with high-tech future

Diamond Schmitt and TWBTA reveal new Geffen Hall revamp plans

South Korean theme park with five hotels and 18-hole golf course gets go-ahead

Cambridge United reveals KSS designs for multi-use stadium

Heatherwick among winners on day one of World Architecture Festival 2019

Pharrell's Toronto tower, Untitled, will be parametric, natural and universal

Intu creating eight-neighbourhood retail and leisure resort in Spain
