THE $40 million Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre was officially opened to the public on August 26, approximately two and a half years after work began on the site in the centre of Sydney. The project was commissioned by the City of Sydney Council to cater for the recreational needs of the approximately 15,780 residents and 25,000 workers in the Pyrmont and Ultimo areas. The council commissioned architect Harry Seidler and Associates to design the landmark centre and FRH Group to handle construction. The YMCA has taken management over the centre and delivers a range of health and recreation services and programs.
The inner-city worksite had a range of special site conditions. The topography divided the site into two different levels. Upper level to the west is adjacent to Harris Street and lower level to the east is adjacent to Pyrmont Street. The design utilised this condition with minimal excavation to provide a three storey building covering majority of the site to fit in all of the council’s requirements. The top floor, which is on Harris Street level, caters three pools: main pool, leisure pool and program pool.
The construction of Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre used approximately 4,000m3 of concrete, 160t of steel, 200,000 tiles and 650m2 of single glazed U profile glass used for the north and south walls of the structure, which was imported from Germany.
Generally, exposed concrete structure is finished off-form with clear waterproof sealer. Piloti columns that support triangulated steel pipe trusses are finished off-form white concrete with clear waterproof sealer. All free-form modules are externally clad with gloss white tiles, their roofs finished with washed river gravel.
Piloti concrete columns spanning three levels to the east and spanning one level to the west, together with triangulated steel pipe roof trusses, are an integrated design to provide a column free space. Post tensioned concrete slab was used for mid level to reduce the amount of columns from car park level through pool level.
The extensive use of natural daylight from continuous glazing from large 53m span trusses and continuous glazing beneath each truss provides an open and light atmosphere. Considering the corrosive pool hall environment, all stainless steel material used is 316 grade and polished, while 25 microns anodized coating is applied for aluminium work.
Skylights are installed to the level 2 change rooms to introduce natural light and reduce the lighting requirements. Roof curvature promotes greater light dispersion across roof section for even light distribution on pool surface. The pool filtration system comprises of six sand filters for main pool, two sand filters for program pool and two sand filters for leisure pool. These filters are connected to UV equipments and pumps. Feature pumps and air blowers are used to generate water feature to leisure pool. Efficient heating system comprises of heat exchangers for pool water and gas boilers for supply air.
Following City of Sydney environmental leadership guidelines, the centre includes green initiatives such as the use of hydraulically operable roof vents for natural ventilation, the harvesting of rainwater for internal amenities such as toilets and sprinkler systems and integrative active lighting to minimise wastage.
In terms of environmental care, the use of diffused U-shaped glass and double glazed roof light provide summer sun protection for thermal comfort and UV exposure. Together with clear glazing to the west and east of the pool hall, an ample amount of natural daylight internally is achieved. Skylights are provided into the free-form change room modules to reduce the amount of time that artificial lighting would be used. Photo Electric Cell sensors are installed to detect the amount of natural lighting and to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
Natural ventilation is provided by using cross ventilation from east and west as well as the opening up of large roof hatches that draws hot air out at the apex of the roof. This will reduce reliance on active mechanical systems, remove pool odours and improve indoor air quality.
The building is designed for onsite rainwater retention. Rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in a storage tank. Stored water is aerated to maintain freshness and recycled for toilet cisterns, fire services, landscape watering and via the pool filtration plant for topping-up of the pool water.
As a pollution control measure, the amount of carbon monoxide (CO) in the car park level is detected by CO sensors and filtered through car park exhaust system spanning two levels before being discharged through the roof of a free form module.
In terms of controlling the level of noise, by providing acoustic treatment to all supply, exhaust and fresh air intake fans and ducting, the acoustic ceilings and insulation absorb potential noise pollution from the leisure facility.
Source: Construction Contractor