Deakin Uni Sport Science Building

Deakin Uni Sport Science Building

Deakin University’s Exercise and Sports Science Teaching Building is a spectacular facility designed by DS Architects.

Their design was inspired by the dynamic forms of movement and presents a new vision that disrupts the traditional model for university sports facilities.

In collaboration with staff and utilising immersive virtual reality imagery, the DS Architects’ design team designed the new building as a four-floor facility.

This brought together under one roof a mix of indoor and outdoor activities within a sustainable and controlled environment.

The building includes both research and teaching facilities accommodating Deakin University’s world-leading exercise and sports science program.

The central concept of the building expresses the different ways the human body moves, woven through a contemporary design using aesthetic forms that make a statement balanced with the facility’s state-of-the-art functions.

DS Architects’ design vision was underpinned by critical thinking about who this building caters for – all bodies, all ages, and all abilities.

Taking its cue from athletes in starting blocks, a spilled bag of balls in a gym, and a starship jumping into hyperspace, the exterior of the building challenges current sports science university models with a fresh approach – celebrating the complexity, precision, and technology in sports analysis.

The major design challenge for this project was transforming a sloping carpark on a small footprint into a large-scale building of approximately 4,000 m2.

DS Architects’ design optimised the site by vertically stacking the building and creating a podium level with formal entry steps.

Other spatial devices include adding seating at the front, which has become an informal meeting place, creating an easy access pick up and drop off zone, and incorporating two entries with a strong connection to the campus.

Inside, the new floorplate resolved the significant spatial issues of the pre-existing facilities and the difficulty of bringing outdoor ball activities inside.

Whereas previously there was limited space in which to safely romp, run, throw and kick balls, the new facility provides a highly professional environment for people of all abilities to teach from, research within, and practice using the spaces.

The structure is designed with a high-performance suspended concrete floor system to minimise noise and vibrations within the building.

Access to natural light is provided for all occupants via a vast 22m high atrium with a central stair connecting the four levels.

Sustainability initiatives include a 450 m2 roof-mounted solar panel system with photovoltaic inverters along with rainwater harvesting.

Today, the new building is a point of pride.

Importantly, it retains Deakin University’s number one ranking as the best sports science facility in Australia and retains its top three ranking as a global leading school in sports science.

Project Details

Project Size – 4,200 m2
Site Area – 2000 m2
Project Budget – $30,000,000
Completion Date – 2021
Building Levels – 4

Project Details

Architecture

DS Architects

DS Architects are an established architectural practice that can trace its roots back to Blomquist + Wark Architects founded in 1976. The firm works with an expansive range of clients including universities, schools, institutions, developers, private companies, and co-ops that understand the value of design and innovation, and the value of a design team aligned with their vision.

www.dsarch.com.au

Photography

Michelle Williams

Michelle is an award-winning Melbourne-based freelance photographer specialising in architecture, interior, and lifestyle imagery.

www.michellewilliams.com.au

Photo Gallery

Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.

Design © 2022 DS Architects. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2022 Michelle Williams. All Rights Reserved.

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