meaning 'whirlwind' in the local kariyarra language, the 'wanangkura stadium' in hedlend by australian practice ARM architecture provides a 4,500 m2 facility complete with indoor and outdoor athletic venues and event spaces. the project is located in 'kevin scott oval', an appropriately-named suburban neighborhood typically reached by air, surrounded by vibrant red soil and extreme cyclonic climatic conditions. the massive recreational facility features a colored cube construction with toned pixels that boast the local team's colors and create a strong contrast to the naturally orange landscape. the roof in this case was also considered another facade, as many of the visitors arrive by plane than by land.
from a distance, the facade texture creates a mirage-like effect and an iconic symbol for the small town. the main building contains indoor basketball, badminton, volleyball, soccer/football and squash courts, a gym, club rooms for local teams, multi-function halls, and retractable seating for 400 people, with outdoor arenas for netball and basketball adjacent to the structure. on the side facing the oval, a spectator's stand changing rooms and suites service the players visitors during game-play.
the building rests on a concrete pad and steel frame system with highly insulated walls that maintain comfortable temperatures during extreme weather conditions, which also lightens the load on grid energy. the modular vitreous facade panels are easily fabricated and replaced, with integrated LED lights in the eastern entrance facade for night-time illumination. economical ply wall panels are stained to desired colors and make up the interior material, with a ventilated cavity behind assuring quality air control.
project name: wanangkura stadium
architecture practice: arm architecture
date of completion: july/2012
category: public buildings ‐ sporting
total project cost: $35 million
gross floor area (m2): 4,500m2
type of building contract: lump‐sum contract
project address: hamilton rd; south hedland, wa 6721
owner/client: town of port hedland
practice team: howard raggatt, andrew lilleyman, sophie cleland, rhonda mitchell, tim pyke, sarah lake, jenny watson
consultant/ construction team role: name:
landscape architecture: oculus
structural & services: aurecon
quantity surveyor: davis langdon / rider levett bucknell
building surveyor: john massey group
builder: doric group
from desginboom