Ken Birdsey Park Sports Pavilion
Under Construction / Schofields, NSW
Sports facility shelters spectators.
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 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.
Climate-Responsive by Design
A concrete wall anchors the Pavilion’s response to climate.
The elongated sports pavilion 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.
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“The Coolgardie Safe was used as an evaporative cooling device using water to trickle down through a hessian covering. In this 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.
Ken Birdsey Park Sports Pavilion Gallery
| Project info | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Sam Crawford, Gabrielle Pelletier, Jordon Blanket, Caitlin Condon, Janani Premchand, Ken Warr |
| Builder | Gartner Rose Glascott Landscaping & Civil |
| Consultants | 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 |
| Council | Blacktown City Council |
| Completion | Under construction |
What we do
Urban & Public
We design public buildings and civic spaces that foster community connection, cultural expression and a sense of belonging. From libraries to public domain projects, our work is shaped by purpose, context and collaboration. These are places designed for people, built to enrich the cities and neighbourhoods they sit within.
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