GAA - Galvanizers Association of Australia

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Olympic Edition

GALVANIZING ADDS SUSTAINABLE INTEREST TO STEEL

Staging the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games requires a major logistical and facilities management endeavour with the Olympic Coordination Authority of the New South Wales Government responsible for developing the new Olympic venues and administering a capital investment budget of about $3.5 billion. Providing the infrastructure and associated competition and public facilities embraces complex and diverse challenges. In addition urban renewal, design excellence, building innovation and ecologically sustainable development are guiding principles enshrined in OCA’s charter.

Three projects reflect the unique building demands and architectural character to which galvanized steel construction has made a notable contribution:

Sydney International Shooting Centre
NSW Tennis Centre, Homebush Bay
Sydney International Archery Park, Homebush Bay

Sydney International Shooting Centre

Sydney International Shooting Centre Mark Sheldon of architects, Group GSA Pty Ltd, comments “Our brief was to produce the best shooting centre in the world and to embody an Australian vernacular in our building. We interpreted that as being simplified and rustic in form and relating to the topography. The structure and geometric rigour of the building reflects shooting in that it is very linear and long, has precise lines and is a very simple, direct response to the brief. Because shooting is a sport that comes off the land, we have used strong exposed materials, steel windows and door frames with a raw galvanized finish, a concrete floor and recycled timber cladding.”

The International Shooting Centre incorporates three Olympic shooting ranges, a fully enclosed 10-metre indoor range for air rifle, air pistol and moving target disciplines, a 25-metre range, a 50-metre range and a finals range able to accommodate all disciplines. The 280-metre long main complex has a sweeping angled roof reaching to nine metres above the ground and is positioned to nestle into the surrounding landscape of the Cumberland woodland. Such is the anticipated level of interest that the permanent seating for 1250 people will be augmented to 10 000 during the games. Rifle and pistol events will be held on a purpose-built range with a scoreboard and a 2500- seat grandstand. There are also outdoor facilities for trap events, where the clay targets move away from the competitors, and skeet events where the target travels across the line of vision. One of the most important legacies of this project, like other Olympic preparations, is the way it addressed global environmental issues. There are site issues, but more especially environmental issues in terms of materials selection, recycling and materials which did not consume excessive amounts of energy during production. The whole world can benefit from such an emphasis on environmental design in buildings. The complex is designed to enable safe and convenient access for people with special needs, in accordance with OCA’s access strategy. Access features include adjustable shooting platforms to accommodate wheelchairs. Future expansion needs of the Shooting Centre have also been addressed having the potential to expand with a fully baffled 300- metre range and associated noise barriers fo r large calibre firearms.

NSW Tennis Centre, Homebush Bay

NSW Tennis Centre, Homebush Bay The world class Tennis Centre in the heart of Homebush Bay is a further achievement of the outcomes of the Olympics and Paralympic facility projects. Representing a $39 million investment, funding has been provided by the NSW State Government, Tennis NSW and Tennis Australia to create a 10 000 seat capacity circular centre-court stadium.

Architects, Lawrence Nield & Partners, with the assistance of international consultants the UK’s Building Design Partnership, also responsible for the new No. 1 Court at Wimbledon, and tennis great John Newcombe provided specialist input. The design feature is a lightweight metal roof which provides shade to 70 percent of the seats. Weighing only 15 kgs per square metre, it has the court
lighting incorporated within, avoiding the need for light towers. Adjoining the centre court facility are two show courts, seven match courts and six practice courts all with Rebound Ace playing surfaces. Extensive use of structural steel was treated in a high surface quality galvanized finish for long term protection and as an aesthetic feature of the structure. Service facilities within the tennis complex cover administration, meeting and changing rooms and retail facilities together with a gymnasium and physiotherapy centre, and a small club for members, with dining and function capacity. A tennis museum houses much of the historical material accumulated by Tennis NSW.

During the Games competition, 7400 temporary seats will be added to accommodate spectator demands from ten consecutive days of Olympic tennis, destined to draw the world’s best The Tennis Centre is close to the new Olympic Park station, bus routes and public transport access and private parking will be unavailable during the games period, to encourage all spectators to use public transport.

Sydney International Archery Park, Homebush Bay

Sydney International Archery Park, Homebush Bay Modern archery is a precise, high technology sport and the purpose built facilities for the Olympic & Paralympic competitions will become the permanent home for the sport in New South Wales.

Post the Olympics, it will become the venue for competitions, training and sport under the aegis of the Archery Society of NSW. The 6.5 hectare site adjoins the Haslams Creek and Mangrove Creek wetland areas in Homebush Bay, and is part of a network of open space design. Environmental consideration by Architects included a dismantling and re-assembly facility, material selection on low embodied energy ratings, water efficiency, non toxic finishes, light optimisation and climate considerations. Representing an investment of $3 million, a distinctive building has been created, flanked by natural mangrove wetland fringes and two sculptural forests made from 185 recycled electricity poles ranging from 3 to 11 metres in height. The 183 by 100 metre archery field is flat with a subsoil draining system. Architects Stutchbury & Pape conceived the elegant archery pavilion which is aligned to ensure competitors have the best shooting positions. The Sydney International Archery Park has embraced the use of direct metal finishes in all aspects of the building’s detail.

Nine modules beneath the distinctive twisting roof, provides shade and protection for competitors and spectators as well as administration, canteen, changing rooms, first aid and storage facilities. Under Olympic and Paralympic conditions the archery field is divided into a competition area and an adjoining training and warm-up area. Temporary buildings will be provided to meet the special demands of the competition period, such as media, scoring and video screen facilities plus a 4000 seat temporary grandstand. The Archery Centre is a striking component of the total development of the Millennium Parklands, a 450 hectare area surrounding Homebush Bay’s sporting facilities.