The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre is an expansion of the original 1960s Southport Pool sited in the Gold Coast’s Broadwater Parklands.
The Cox Architecture designed redevelopment created the venue for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and held the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in 2014.
The Cox Architecture design concept comprises a series of pools sunk into earth berms, distinct from the conventional pool shed.
This concept amplifies visual relationship with the Parklands and Broadwater and enhances the Aquatic Centres more significant role as the Gold Coast’s community pool post-Games.
The pools are framed and interconnected by colonnades on the concept of a Roman impluvium, accentuating vistas, and imparting legibility.
The clarity of this ethos is expressed by a predominance of two materials, concrete and hardwood, employing their raw patina to accentuate the spatial experience.
The project encompasses the existing pool expanded to Olympic size with an 8-lane training pool, program pool, diving pool, and children’s play pool.
In addition are a gymnasium, dry-dive facility, community meeting rooms, functions venue, and 1,000 seats readily expandable to 10,000 for major events, contracting easily after.
Further flexibility facilitates marathon and triathlon event viewing on the Broadwater side.
Project Construction Video
Project Details
Project size – 7,602 m2
Site area – 31,824 m2
Building levels – 1
Project Team
Architecture
Cox Architecture
COX is a design-focused contemporary architectural practice with studios located in every major Australian city and a history spanning 60 years.
The key to their ethos is supporting the public life of our cities. Cox does this by ensuring each project makes positive contributions to its public realm – giving more than it takes.
Photography
Christopher Frederick Jones
Christopher is an experienced architectural and interiors photographer based in Brisbane, Australia.
Photo Gallery
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Design © 2020 Cox Architecture. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2020 Christopher Frederick Jones. All Rights Reserved.
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