The Project
The $50m design and construct project will consist of world-class, sports focused teaching spaces, research laboratories, as well as commercial offices, six multi-purpose indoor courts and a plaza with incorporated landscaping.
Senior Architect, Warren and Mahoney’s Brett Diprose describes the design as creating a ‘hubbing’ space for both community, university and elite sports groups in addition to the educational aspects of that.
“It was about bringing all of these aligned uses and all the various categorizations of sports under one roof,” Brett says.
During the design phase, a combination roof and wall system was specified for the project. The original specification was for an eight layered acoustic build-up system to achieve NCC requirements inclusive of the desired acoustics performance.
The Challenge
ASKIN Performance Panels has experience and strength in both education and sporting sectors in Victoria and nationwide with projects such as Melbourne Arena, and Melbourne Girls College. Known for finding solutions, the ASKIN Panel team conducted a series of presentations and meetings with both Warren and Mahoney Architects and Adco Constructions. As a result, ASKIN Roofing and Exteriors was specified for the La Trobe’s Sports Park as it could provide the acoustic and aesthetic results wanted all within one panel system.
The Solutions
Brett describes using the 65mm rib as breaking down the panels into 300mm modules as opposed to a 900mm which enabled them to achieve a high level of finish across the job.
Using COLORBOND® Astro and Cosmic on the panel walls and the ASKIN Rosanna Rib in Bronze, they were able to manipulate the facade so throughout different times of the day depending on the sunlight, the exterior would appear as a dark facade, and lighten as the sun moved throughout the day.
“It guides the perception of a different experience of the building every time you look at it from a different angle. We spoke about it as a bit like a jewellery box, in terms of it displaying a manipulation of light bouncing off the façade”, Brett says.
One of the biggest benefits of using ASKIN’s panel system was the ease and speed of build, saving the builder more than 3000-man hours. This was due to installing one product instead of the originally planned multi-layered approach.
As a result, ASKIN’s Volcore Panel Roofing and Exterior panel system provided multiple solutions and benefits including:
- Acoustic properties
- Green star rating
- Thermal performance
- Delivered ahead of time
- Speed of build saving more than 3000-man hours by installing ASKIN Roofing products.
The Results
Commercial tenancies, and indoor stadium with six multi-purpose highball courts and plaza area make this unique sporting facility suitable for students, the local community and elite sports teams to enjoy.
