The great success of this year’s Wimbledon is over, and it’s now just over six months until the Australian Open. Work is continuing apace on the latest redevelopment phase at Melbourne and Olympic Parks, where Margaret Court Arena is undergoing transformation to create the precinct’s third all-weather arena.
The design team, NH Architecture + Populous, is working for Major Projects Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government to complete the $366M Melbourne Park Redevelopment (Stage 1). This project to be completed by 2015 includes an innovative retractable roof, seating for 7,500 spectators and concourse connectivity to the adjacent Rod Laver Arena.
Part of the challenge has been to manage the construction to enable Margaret Court Arena to be used during the Australian Open each January during the three year construction period. Furthermore the construction has had to minimise disruption to the adjacent Rod Laver Arena and the hundreds of events it hosts each year.
The primary function of the redeveloped Margaret Court Arena will be to stage major matches of the Grand Slam tournament, but the multi-purpose venue will also host netball, basketball, major concerts and entertainment events. Its operable roof will be the fastest closing roof in Australia, able to shut completely in less than five minutes enabling Margaret Court to become a functional all-weather boutique venue for a busy all year round schedule.
The bold roof design ensures the venue will create its own identity signalling the beginning of a new chapter in the development of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct. The “copper penny” colour of the metal roof has been deliberately designed to complement the existing architecture, particularly big brother next door, Rod Laver Arena, but also to express Margaret Court Arena’s own individuality. The colour and shape of the roof reflects some of the traditional elements of Melbourne architecture, particularly the sandstone, zinc and copper of buildings along the Yarra River.
The roof’s innovative pleated profile reduces its structural depth and importantly reduces the visual bulk of the building. The pleated nature of the roof also provides the flexibility to fold down to pedestrian level to provide weather protection, particularly at venue entrances. Large roof overhangs on all sides of the building provide shade to the surrounding concourse and public realm, offering a respite for patrons facing the hot summer sun which is often a part of the Australian Open.
The roof is one of the four key individual design elements that have contributed to the overall architectural form; others are the bowl, concourse and the undercroft. The result is a cohesive architectural form conceived as a “container” where the seating bowl becomes the key architectural expression allowing concourse areas to be developed independently. Large areas of glazing maximise views and expose the internal architecture to passers-by.
The design and construction of Margaret Court Arena has been determined not only by the demands of its busy working precinct environment, but also by the physical constraints of having neighbours on all sides which has created additional challenges, particularly the phasing of construction.
But the design team, NH Architecture + Populous, believes this has ultimately provided a positive influence, ensuring the team is both focused and exacting in the way it has planned and executed the project. The court position and seating bowl were already fixed, so a great deal of work was undertaken in planning the building, particularly the re-planning of circulation networks for spectators and back of house staff.
The project sets a new benchmark with its sustainability initiatives. It is aiming to be the first LEED accredited sports venue in Australia, so that it can be compared with other similar global venues for ESD measures. Water consumption has been carefully considered and sustainable strategies adopted to reduce potable water consumption. Enabling works have provided the infrastructure for rainwater harvesting and treatment facilities which include a 4.5mL storm water retention tank to capture rainwater from the new roof. Preliminary calculations demonstrate an overall reduction of 45% in water use against conventional arena design water efficiency measures. The Arena’s proximity to alternative public transportation minimizes the need for onsite parking and sets aside more space for natural areas thereby serving to reinforce the precinct’s unique park setting.
When the Margaret Court Arena opens in 2015, it will create an innovative, covered boutique sports arena that will achieve a significant step in the realization of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct masterplan.
Richard Breslin is a Senior Principal at Populous and a Director of the Asian/Pacific office headquartered in Brisbane. Richard also sits on the worldwide strategic Board of Populous. Richard is responsible for all of the firm’s projects in New Zealand and Australia.
In 1997, Richard commenced work with the team on the design of Stadium Australia (now ANZ Stadium), the main venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. At this time, he also worked on the event overlay for the Games, reviewing initial designs for Homebush Olympic Park.
Following the successful delivery of the 2000 Summer Games, Richard worked on the design of the 90,000 seat Wembley Stadium, before leading the design team for two stadia constructed in Portugal (Estadio da Luz in Lisbon and Estadio Algarve in Faro) in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2004 soccer competition.
In 2006, he was Project Leader for the design of the Soccer CIty Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was also appointed project leader for Populous’ successful master plan for the London 2012 Olympic Park. Populous designed the main stadium for the London Olympics and was part of the Overlay team for the Olympic Park.
In 2007, Richard emigrated to New Zealand, where he led the teams on the design of the 60,000 seat Eden Park redevelopment in Auckland and the 30,000 seat Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, the first fully covered fixed roof stadium with a natural grass pitch. Both were venues for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Richard is now working on a range of projects in Australia and New Zealand, including the sports hub which is part of the blueprint for the rebuilding of Christchurch, following the earthquakes.
Richard Breslin’s 
About NH Architecture: NH Architecture is a leading Australian design studio founded on the principles of collaboration and open debate, where architects and designers are united by a commitment to creating outstanding contemporary architecture. The practice has extensive expertise in urban design, masterplanning, architecture, interiors, and graphic design. NH Architecture is renowned for its work in the public realm, mixed-programme developments, and in retail architecture and is leading the thinking towards architecture capable of engaging with the complexities of the contemporary Australian city.
Other Popolous Expert Columns:
A Sporting Renaissance in Russia – Richard Breslin & Damon Lavelle
The Emergence of the Intelligent Venue – Richard Breslin & Greg Sherlock
Fostering Innovation: why it remains at the heart of stadium design – Richard Breslin & Jon Knight
France’s New Home of Rugby is Much More Than A Stadium – Richard Breslin & Ben Vickery
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