Green Square/Gunyama Park Proposal

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: This architectural proposal was an entry in a City of Sydney-run international competition for a major new aquatic centre and park in Green Square, a new 278-hectare suburb being developed 3.5 km from Sydney's CBD, on land formerly used for light industry and manufacturing. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: The proposal integrated building and landscape through the design of a large, low-rise building, with the roof continuing from the topography of the surrounding park. This roof was designed for large spans appropriate to covering the aquatic and recreation facilities, while creating an architectural feature and offering significant advantages in terms of environmental performance. For the roof, the design team drew on existing research into timber gridshell systems. These systems were first proposed and executed in the 1970s by architects and engineers including the notable designs of 2015 Pritzker Prize winner Frei Otto. The design proposal looks to recent advancements in digital manufacturing to produce customised curved timber components. Such an approach is exemplified by the Centre Pompidou Metz but has yet to be used in Australia. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: Although it was not shortlisted, the proposal was part of a public exhibition of entries, held at the Tote Building/library in Green Square and also available online (formerly at http://sydneyyoursay.com.au/design-competition) . A jury of leading peers was impressed with the overall standard of the 143 entries (jurors report, p.11). Coverage of the exhibition, competition and winner included: Nathan Johnson, 'Five projects shortlisted', Architecture & Design, 19 June 2014; Rebecca Barnett, ABC News, 4 Nov 2014; 'Pool design winner' Sydney Morning Herald, 4 Nov 2014.