Project- Gunyama Park and the Green Square Aquatic Centre
Year- 2014
Type- Open International Competition
Info- Design entry for Gunyama Park and the Green Square Aquatic Centre.
Site area- 28,162m2
Building Gross Floor Area- 10,000m2

Concept- Green Wave
The design for Gunyama Park and the Green Square Aquatic Centre is perceived as continuation of the ocean experience, brought inland to central Sydney. The intention is to celebrate water as a key element that represents and defines the character of the Australian lifestyle. The Gunyama Park and Green Square Aquatic Center can be seen as two sides of the same coin where architecture and landscape merge into one. The grass roof of the building will allow both sporting and social activities to take place beneath and above; as well as functioning as an open-air elevated city park for relaxation and leisure activities. In the event that formal activities are held on the roof, the green field will be able to be easily transformed into a stage and viewing platform. In terms of overall usage, the square will be so dynamic as to comfortably lend itself to a number of uses like open-air concerts, sport events, art installations. This will enliven and enrich the surrounding neighborhood. The aquatic center is designed to be a welcoming and inviting building as it will be without walls and effectively transparent, reinforcing the democratic atmosphere of Sydney. The glass that envelops the rest of the building will maximize visibility and blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor space and the extended green field will diminish further the dividing lines of floor, wall and roof. Operable glass screens between the indoor pools and the outdoor pool will provide flexibility of usage and accessibility to a variety of users throughout the different seasons of the year. As Sydney is ready to enter a transformation process into becoming an even more cosmopolitan city; the adoption of a large variety of trees and plants from all over Australia in Gunyama Park will reflect the city’s flourishing cultures and symbolize its role as a melting pot of these cultures, both indigenous and overseas. Not only will the Grass Carpet on the rooftop of the aquatic center increase the overall green area of Gunyama Park (by 40%), its embedded skylights along with the glass facade of the building will allow natural light to be maximized throughout the day. Crucially, this solar gain will be able to be managed by adjusting the settings on the integrated window blinds. A passive cross natural ventilation system is incorporated into the design via the operable windows, skylight and the whole system is enhanced by the pools’ water. Depending on the budget, photovoltaic cells and solar collectors may be added to the glass screens to generate electricity for the building. With a cavernous storage area below ground, storm water collection and harvesting could also be made possible.