Ken Birdsey Park Amenities

Under Construction / Schofields, NSW

The Coolgardie Safe, invented in outback Western Australia in the late 1890s, is the inspiration for a wall of rubble that cools a new sports amenities building in western Sydney. The building is a strong linear statement amidst the parklands and sports fields of a new precinct of open space and recreational infrastructure for the local community.

The elongated amenities building features a large concrete and construction rubble wall on the western side which acts as an insulating barrier to the hot climate of the local area.

The Coolgardie Safe was used as an evaporative cooling device using water to trickle down through a hessian covering. In the amenities building rainwater is captured and distributed through a permeable wall of recycled rubble and, as the wind wafts over its water-soaked surface, it creates a cooling effect.

The building faces east so that spectators are sheltered from the fierce afternoon heat and glare. The 100 metres-long form means it is accessible to all fields with an emphasis on indoor and outdoor connection.

Facilities include change rooms, sports storage spaces, a club/community room, first aid and a kiosk, plus public amenities and a covered outdoor picnic area that overlook the sports fields and play ground. Bike and cycleways offer exercise and safety for adults and kids alike.

Industrial materials and waste products from local construction sites are elevated into refined forms and elegant detailing. Material selections are complementary to the surroundings with durability a core requirement for both materials and layout.

Rusted metal cladding folds to form gutters enabling rainwater to spill into the rear wall and water the ferns that grow amidst the rubble. Perforated mesh, angled screens and transparent panels provide natural light. Internally there is an emphasis on light and bright with white concrete blocks, terracotta tiles and timber benches with aggregate concrete flooring. The pre-weathered steel cladding has anti-vandal properties to minimise graffiti, and the slatted screens of the bathrooms close up overnight for security.

With water retention and stormwater management a key issue, the park plan restores a natural water system, filtering and treating the stormwater for irrigation, restoring a wetland and facilitating bio-retention.

Project Team

Sam Crawford, Gabrielle Pelletier, Caitlin Condon, Janani Premchand, Ken Warr, Steven Kelly

Contractor

Gartner Rose
Glascott Landscaping & Civil

Consultant Team

Structural & Services Engineer: Stantec
Civil Engineer: Civille
Landscape Architect: McGregor Coxall
Facade engineer: Inhabit Group and Jabin
BCA consultant: BCA Logic
Access consultant: Group DLA
Quantity surveyor: MBM Consulting

Client

Blacktown City Council