Designed by Cox, Willinga Park and its three structures, an Equestrian Centre, Covered Arena, and Polocrosse Pavilion are all connected by a set of principles that prioritise site, scale, program, and materiality.
Cox was commissioned by Terry Snow AM; a Canberra native, philanthropist, and Executive Chairman of Capital Airport Group.
His brief was straightforward; “Nothing horsey.”
The Cox design team was led by Cox Project Director Chis Millman who said:
Willinga Park is an experiment. It’s difficult to describe or define. It begins with horses and a man with an undying pursuit of excellence. Where it will finish remains anyone’s guess, however, what has become abundantly clear: we are creating something special.
The team ensured that the large Equestrian Centre and Covered Arena seamlessly integrated into the established topography without comprising functionality for users, visitors, and importantly the horses.
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Light and ventilation were driving factors in the Cox design, contributing to the building’s distinct sculptural forms.
The Equestrian Centre complex consists of thirty stables, two dressage arenas, a covered round yard and walker, a hydrotherapy pool, equine health facilities and associated staff and riders’ areas.
The Covered Arena has a seating capacity of approximately one thousand spectators, VIP and media boxes, and two full-sized dressage arenas – one of which is roofed.
At the Equestrian Centre, roofs maximise coastal breezes, ensuring natural ventilation while providing shelter for horses.
The Covered Arena’s sawtooth roof is similarly pragmatic in conception.
The openings allow natural light to pour in under a ninety-by-forty metre expanse of shelter.
More modestly, the Polocrosse Pavilion sits atop a purpose-built grass embankment allowing spectators to view the field comfortably.
As a collective, the three structures embrace an approach to building large facilities for year-round use and events.
Wilinga Park rejects the idea of architecture and landscape being separate.
Instead, the Cox design team created a total environment for people, horses, and nature.
Project Awards
- The Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture, AIA ACT, 2017
- W Hayward Morris Award for Interior Architecture, AIA ACT,2017
Project Details
Project Size – 7,600 m2
Completion Date – 2016
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
Alina Gozin’a
Alina Gozin’a is an award-winning photographer and director based in New York and Sydney.
Ginette Snow
Ginette Snow is a director of The Snow Foundation and an accomplished photographer and author of three books which include many of her own photos.
Photo Gallery
Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge it.
Design © 2022 Cox Architecture. All Rights Reserved.| Images © 2022 Alina Gozin’a and Ginette Snow. All Rights Reserved.
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